Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
To escape the tourist beat in Arles, take a detour into Arles' little-visited western fringe.
Find Rue de la Roquette near the Trinquetaille Bridge and stroll several blocks into pleas-
ing Place Paul Doumier, where you'll find a lively assortment of cafés, bakeries, and in-
RoquetteandturnrightoncharmingRueCroixRougetoreachtheriver.Thosewalkingto
or from the Ancient History Museum can use this appealing stroll as a shortcut.
ThesepartlyintactRomanbathswerebuiltintheearlyfourthcenturywhenEmperorCon-
stantine declared Arles an imperial residence. Roman cities such as Arles had several pub-
lic baths like this, which were used as much for exercising, networking, and chatting with
friends as for bathing. These baths were located near the Rhône River for easy water ac-
cess.Youcangetaprettygoodlookatthebathsthroughthefence(€3,daily9:00-12:00&
14:00-18:00).
Housed in the former Grand Priory of the Knights of Malta, this modern-art collection
is always changing. The permanent collection usually includes a series of works by
homegrownNeoclassicalartistJacquesRéattu,alongwithatleastonePicassopaintingand
aroomfulofhisdrawings(donatedbytheartist,sometwo-sidedandalldoneinaflurryof
creativity). The museum shuffles its large Picasso collection around regularly (they have
more works than space to display them). Most of the three-floor museum houses (usually
worthwhile) temporary exhibits of modern artists; check the website to see who's playing.
Cost and Hours:
€8, free first Sun of each month, July-Sept Tue-Sun 10:00-19:00,
Oct-June Tue-Sun 10:00-12:30 & 14:00-18:30, closed Mon year-round, last entry 30
minutes before closing for lunch or at end of day, 10 Rue du Grand Prieuré, tel. 04 90 96
37 68,
www.museereattu.arles.fr
.
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Arlaten Folk Museum (Musée Arlaten / Museon Arlaten)
This museum, which explains the ins and outs of daily Provençal life, is closed for
renovation until 2015. Ask at the TI or check the museum's website for the latest
(
www.museonarlaten.fr
, French only).
Inthedeadofwinterin1888,35-year-oldDutchartistVincentvanGoghleftbig-cityParis
for Provence, hoping to jump-start his floundering career and personal life. He was as in-
spired as he was lonely. Coming from the gray skies and flat lands of the north, Vincent
