Hotel De la Muette

15, rue des Suisses, 13200 Arles

Occupied first by celtic tribes, then by a greek colony, Arles becomes Roman when Julius Caesar gives the colony to the veterans of his legions. This is the first golden age of arles, rome in gaull. Starting from the earliest days of christianity, the city will also become an important religious center. Destroyed and ravaged by invasions during the middle ages, arles was rebuilt during the 12th century. The magnificience of its medieval monuments is evidence to the vitality and wealth of that period. During the 17th and 18th centuries were built the stately town houses which are part of the charm of the old city, where dozens of buildings, some dating back 2000 years, are listed as Historical Monuments. The seven most important are on the unesco list of world heritage monuments. Arles covers a surface of 77000 hectares (177100 acres) including 2/3 of greater camargue, which makes it the largest township in france. The amphitheater built around 90 AD it could hold 20 000 spectators. The roman theater late first century BC it could hold 10 000 spectators. The Alyscamps roman and early christian cemetery, st honorat s church, 12th century, halt on the pilgrimage route to santiago de compostela. St trophime’s cathedral, magnificent romanesque façade. The cloister of St Trophime two romanesque and two gothic galleries. The abbey of montmajour. Constantine’s bath. The espace Van Gogh, Van Gogh’s bridge. The museum of ancient Arles. The Camargue museum. To visit : St Remy de Provence, Nîmes (arènes), Avignon et le Palais des Papes, Fonvielle.