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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.
Envia is Arles’s local bus network. The currently municipal-hosted tariff sheet, effective 1 September 2024, lists a single ticket at €1.10 by bank card onboard, Envia app or SMS, and €1.20 from the driver. Confirm current fares, payment eligibility and transfer rules; SMS may not suit your phone. HOPLA is a separate free bicycle shuttle from Clémenceau to the old centre, subject to its operating calendar, not free travel on all buses or a guaranteed train-station shuttle.
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.
Approximate straight-line distances between listed reference points; not road distances or transfer times. Aix-en-Provence is an inland excursion city, not a cruise berth.