Ahhh, enchanting, ancient Arles. After just one day here, everyone is in love with this enticing town. Yesterday we were in Sète so we would not miss the Sunday seafood market. This morning we’re ready to spend the day exploring our home base for this week, with our guide, Valerie.
I’m thrilled to hear that everyone is excited about seeing places they read about in my novel, Drawing Lessons. What a pleasure this is for me too!
Down the street from our hotel and around the corner, and we are in the heart of the town, Place de la République.
The Cathédrale Saint-Trophime, built between the 12th and 15th centuries, is our first stop.
From here we moved on to relive some of Vincent van Gogh’s brief, but prolific, time in Arles from February 1888 to May 1889. As troubled emotionally as he was, his artistry was at a high point and his spirit lives throughout Arles.
The Fondation Vincent van Gogh.
The ancient Roman presence in Arles wraps around you in a way that keeps the aura and the history alive. The coliseum, Les Arènes, and Théâtre Antique host regular events throughout the year.
And still so much more exploring to be done …
A visit to the Musée Arles Antique/Archeological Museum is a good idea to see the vast collection of artifacts, including the marble bust of Julius Caesar and the Roman barge (don’t miss the video showing the powerful story of how this undertaking was accomplished).
And then there are doors … did I mention the doors … from one extreme to the other. Doors that are impossible for my camera to resist. Would you feel the same?
And shopping … excellent shopping through the many small streets of this beautiful town situated on the banks of the Rhône.
And that evening … say no more … santé …
Have you ever been to Arles? It’s definitely high on my most-recommended places to visit.
Be sure to click on over to the website of my good friend and tour co-leader, Deborah Bine aka Barefoot Blogger. She has posted wonderful articles about many of the places we visit on our tour.
DRAWING LESSONS IS ON SALE FOR OCTOBER IN EBOOK AND PRINT! HERE’S THE AMAZON LINK.
