Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
You can dine well in Arles on a modest budget—in fact, it's hard to blow a lot on dinner
here (most of my listings have
menus
for under €25). Before dinner, go local on Place du
Forum and enjoy a
pastis
. This anise-based apéritif is served straight in a glass with ice,
plus a carafe of water—dilute to taste. Sunday is a quiet night for restaurants, though most
eateries on Place du Forum are open.
For
picnics,
a big, handy Monoprix supermarket/department store is on Place
Lamartine (Mon-Thu 8:30-19:30, Fri-Sat 8:30-20:00, closed Sun).
On or near Place du Forum
Great atmosphere and mediocre food at fair prices await on Place du Forum. By all ac-
counts, the garish yellow Café la Nuit is worth avoiding. Most other cafés on the square
deliver acceptable quality and terrific ambience. For better cuisine, wander away from the
square.
On Rue du Dr. Fanton
A half-block below the Forum, on Rue du Dr. Fanton, lies a terrific lineup of restaurants.
Come here to peruse your options side by side. You can't go wrong—all offer good value
and have appealing indoor and outdoor seating.
Le 16
is a warm, affordable place to enjoy a fresh salad (€10), or a fine two- or
three-course dinner (€20-€25). The choices are limited, so check the selection before sit-
ting down. The goat cheese
croustillant
salad and
taureau
(bull's meat) in a tasty sauce
make a fine combination (closed Sat-Sun, 16 Rue du Dr. Fanton, tel. 04 90 93 77 36,
Au Brin de Thym,
a few doors down, offers a reliable blend of traditional French
and Provençal cuisine at very fair prices. Arrive early for an outdoor table or call ahead,
and let hardworking and formal Monsieur and Madame Colombaud and their daughter
take care of you. Monsieur does
le cooking
while
les filles
do
le serving
(€14 lunch
menu,
excellent à la carte choices: €9 starters, €16
plats;
closed Tue, 22 Rue du Dr. Fanton, tel.
04 90 49 95 96,
www.aubrindethym.com
)
.
Le Plaza,
next to Au Brin, is run by a young couple (Stéphane cooks while Graziela
serves)andfeaturestastyProvençalcuisineinafinesetting—insideorout—atgoodprices
(€22
menu,
closed Wed, 28 Rue du Dr. Fanton, tel. 04 90 96 33 15).
