Arles, Provence, France
Where Roman legions left behind an amphitheatre still roaring with life, and Van Gogh chased starlight along the Rhône — Arles packs 2,000 years into a walkable old town.
Where Roman legions left behind an amphitheatre still roaring with life, and Van Gogh chased starlight along the Rhône — Arles packs 2,000 years into a walkable old town.
River cruise ships berth alongside Quai Segonnaux on the Rhône's east bank — no tender needed, and the historic centre is a flat 10-minute walk.
💡 Pro move: The Wednesday and Saturday morning markets fill Place de la République and the boulevards — arrive early for the best atmosphere.
Arles has a straightforward river quay on the Rhône east bank used by all major river cruise lines.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most river cruise lines (Uniworld, Viking, AmaWaterways, Tauck, Scenic) | Quai Segonnaux / Quai du 08 mai 1945📍 | Docked |
| Overflow / high-water period | Tarascon (shuttle to Arles provided)📍 | Docked |
From gladiatorial arenas to flamingo-filled wetlands, Arles punches well above its size for a single shore day.
Built in 90 AD for 20,000 spectators, this UNESCO-listed colosseum is one of the best-preserved in the world. It still hosts Camargue bullfights (courses camarguaises) in summer.
Find Arles arena tours →Self-guided walk linking the spots that inspired Van Gogh's most famous works — Espace Van Gogh (the hospital courtyard), Place du Forum, the Starry Night river bank, and more. Panels show the actual paintings alongside today's view.
Find Van Gogh walking tours →The Camargue wetlands begin just south of Arles — a vast delta famous for wild white horses, black bulls, and greater flamingos. 4×4 safaris or horseback rides put you in the marshes within 30 minutes of the ship.
Find Camargue wildlife tours →Ruined medieval fortress perched on a dramatic limestone ridge, plus the stunning Carrieres de Lumières immersive art projections inside an old quarry — a memorable half-day combo 20 km from Arles.
Find Les Baux day tours →Stroll the atmospheric avenue of Roman sarcophagi at Alyscamps (painted by Van Gogh and Gauguin), then visit the striking blue Musée Départemental Arles Antique for mosaics, a Caesar bust pulled from the Rhône, and Roman boat remains.
Find Arles museum tours →Frank Gehry's crumpled-metal tower anchors a vast cultural campus in a converted 19th-century railway yard. Cutting-edge exhibitions and the architecture itself are worth the visit even for non-art lovers.
Find LUMA Arles tickets →The entire UNESCO monument zone is flat and compact — you can link all the major Roman and Van Gogh sites in a single morning loop.
A circuit linking the big Roman monuments with Van Gogh's painting locations through the medieval lanes of central Arles.
A peaceful detour to the ancient Roman necropolis painted by Van Gogh and Gauguin — tree-lined and quiet, best in the afternoon when crowds thin.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Arles, Provence, France (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52°F / 11°C | 39°F / 4°C | 7 | 8:12 AM | 5:30 PM |
| Feb | 56°F / 13°C | 41°F / 5°C | 7 | 7:40 AM | 6:11 PM |
| Mar | 61°F / 16°C | 44°F / 7°C | 7 | 6:53 AM | 6:47 PM |
| Apr | 67°F / 19°C | 49°F / 9°C | 8 | 6:58 AM | 8:24 PM |
| May | 74°F / 23°C | 56°F / 13°C | 8 | 6:16 AM | 8:59 PM |
| Jun | 84°F / 29°C | 65°F / 18°C | 6 | 5:59 AM | 9:24 PM |
| Jul | 90°F / 32°C | 69°F / 21°C | 3 | 6:14 AM | 9:20 PM |
| Aug | 88°F / 31°C | 68°F / 20°C | 4 | 6:46 AM | 8:44 PM |
| Sep | 80°F / 27°C | 62°F / 17°C | 6 | 7:21 AM | 7:51 PM |
| Oct | 70°F / 21°C | 55°F / 13°C | 8 | 7:56 AM | 6:57 PM |
| Nov | 60°F / 16°C | 47°F / 8°C | 10 | 7:35 AM | 5:15 PM |
| Dec | 54°F / 12°C | 41°F / 5°C | 8 | 8:08 AM | 5:04 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Many river cruise ships dock steps from the historic city center. If your ship berths at the main Arles fluvial port, it is roughly a 20-minute walk (~2.9 km) to the Roman Arena.
Regulated taxis are available at the port. The short ride to the city center should cost €10–20 depending on traffic and exact berth location.
Uber operates in Arles and can be booked via the app. Useful for onward trips to Les Baux-de-Provence or Saint-Rémy if splitting costs.
Local Rémi Bus routes connect parts of the city. A free navette (shuttle) runs between the train station and city center, useful if you arrive by rail.
Several rental shops in Arles offer bicycles. The city and surrounding Camargue countryside are very bike-friendly and flat.
Upcoming cruises that call at Arles, Provence, France. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.