Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
clientele (€13
menus
; hearty
plats
and filling salads for €10—try the
salade fermière, salade
Latine,
or the filling
assiette Provençale;
closed Sun evening).
A Gastronomic Dining Experience
One of France's most recognized chefs, Jean-Luc Rabanel, has created a sensation with two
very different options 50 yards from Place de la République (at 7 Rue des Carmes). They sit
side by side, both offering indoor and terrace seating.
L'Atelier
issointriguingthatpeopletravelgreatdistancesjustfortheexperience.Diners
fork over €95 (at lunch, you'll spoon out €55) and trust the chef to create a memorable
meal...whichhedoes.Thereisnomenu,justanonslaughtofdelicioustastesensationsserved
in artsy dishes. Don't plan on a quick dinner, and don't come for the setting—it's a contem-
porary, shoebox-shaped dining room, but several outdoor tables are also available. The get-
to-know-your-neighbor atmosphere means you can't help but join the party. You'll probably
spot the famous chef (hint: he has long brown hair), as he is very hands-on with his wait-
staff (closed Mon-Tue, best to book ahead, friendly servers will hold your hand through this
palate-widening experience, tel. 04 90 91 07 69,
www.rabanel.com
)
.
A Côté
saddles up next door, offering a smart wine bar/bistro ambience and top-quality
cuisine for far less. Here you can sample the famous chef's talents for as little as €18 (daily
plat
)orasmuchas€38(three-course
menu,
smallishservings,reasonablypricedwines,open
daily, tel. 04 90 47 61 13).
And for Dessert...
Soleileis
has Arles' best ice cream, with all-natural ingredients and unusual flavors such as
fadoli
—olive oil mixed with nougatine. There's also a shelf of English books for exchange
(open daily 14:00-18:30, across from recommended Le 16 restaurant at 9 Rue du Dr. Fan-
ton).
Some trains in and out of Arles require a
reservation
. These include connections with Nice
to the east and Bordeaux to the west (including intermediary stops). Ask at the station.
From Arles by Train to: Paris
(11/day, 2 direct TGVs—4 hours, 9 with transfer in
Avignon—5 hours),
Avignon Centre-Ville
(roughly hourly, 20 minutes, less frequent in the
afternoon),
Nîmes
(9/day,30minutes),
Marseille
(11/day,1.5hours),
Nice
(11/day,3.75-4.5
hours, most require transfer in Marseille),
Barcelona
(2/day, 6 hours,),
Italy
(3/day transfer
