Aix-en-Provence
Explore Aix-en-Provence with kids: Cézanne's studio, fountain trails, vibrant markets, and day trips to Montagne Sainte-Victoire. Your family guide to the best of Provence.
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🇫🇷Arles
Explore Arles with kids: a UNESCO-listed Roman amphitheatre, Van Gogh's streets, underground galleries, and the wild Camargue wetlands, all in one compact, walkable city.
Your family guide
Arles with kids: Roman ruins, Van Gogh and flamingos
“Roman gladiators, Van Gogh's easel and Camargue flamingos. Arles stacks 2000 years of history onto one square.”
— San & Jo
Arles is one of those rare places where your kids can stand inside a 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre, follow in Van Gogh's footsteps through sun-drenched streets, and spot wild flamingos in the wetlands: all in a single day. It is compact, walkable, and packed with stories that genuinely capture children's imaginations.
Nicknamed 'Little Rome' for good reason, Arles holds UNESCO World Heritage status for its extraordinary Roman ruins. But it never feels like a museum city. The old town is lively, the market days are buzzing, and the Camargue wetlands right on the doorstep add a wild, adventurous edge that balances all that culture perfectly.
Best of all, Arles is noticeably less crowded than nearby Avignon, so you can explore at your own pace without fighting through tour groups. For families who want depth without the chaos, this southern French gem is hard to beat.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'AzurSouthern France
UNESCO World HeritageRoman monuments
Best April to OctoberWarm Mediterranean climate
Best things to do
Best things to do in Arles
Roman Amphitheatre (Arènes d'Arles)
Built in 90 AD and still jaw-droppingly intact, this arena once held over 20,000 spectators. Kids love climbing the watchtowers added during its 8th-century life as a fortress, and the sheer scale of the place makes history feel real in a way no textbook can.
Arrive early to beat the midday heat and grab a spot at the top for the best views over the city.
1-2 hours
Cryptoportiques: underground Roman galleries
Beneath the old forum lie these extraordinary subterranean Roman galleries, cool, atmospheric, and utterly unlike anything else in Provence. Walking through them feels like a secret passage through ancient history: older kids especially find the underground setting genuinely thrilling.
Bring a light layer: it is noticeably cooler underground, which is actually a relief in summer.
45 minutes
Van Gogh walking trail
A self-guided trail takes you through the city with plaques marking the exact spots where Van Gogh painted his most famous works, including the Rhône River views that inspired Starry Night Over the Rhône. Pick up a trail map and turn it into a family treasure hunt.
Download the city's free Van Gogh trail map before you go so you can navigate without stopping to search.
1-2 hours
Espace Van Gogh
This is the actual hospital where Van Gogh was treated after cutting off his ear, and its beautiful garden was immortalised in his paintings. The courtyard is peaceful, free to enter, and gives families a quiet moment away from the busier sites.
The garden is free to visit: a great spot for a breather with younger children who need a calm pause mid-day.
30-45 minutes
Alyscamps Roman necropolis
A shaded avenue of ancient sarcophagi leading through a peaceful former Roman burial ground, this UNESCO-listed site also served as a medieval pilgrimage route and was painted by Van Gogh. The dappled light and ancient stones make it atmospheric without being overwhelming.
It is far quieter than the amphitheatre and a lovely spot for photos, especially in late afternoon light.
45 minutes
Day trip to the Camargue wetlands
Just outside Arles, the Camargue is a vast, wild wetland where flamingos wade in shallow lagoons and white horses roam freely. It is one of the most genuinely surprising natural experiences in France, and children absolutely love the flamingo spotting.
Bring binoculars for flamingo spotting and go in the morning when the light is best and the birds are most active.
Half day
Musée Départemental Arles Antique
This museum houses an impressive collection of Roman artefacts including a Julius Caesar bust, intricate mosaics, and a remarkable 31-metre Roman barge recovered from the Rhône. The barge alone is worth the visit: it is one of the most well-preserved ancient vessels in the world.
The museum is air-conditioned, making it a smart choice for the hottest part of a summer afternoon.
1-2 hours
Arles weekly market
One of the largest weekly markets in Provence, this is where locals shop and visitors get a real taste of southern French life. Pick up olives, Camargue rice, lavender, and local cheeses: letting kids choose something to taste is a great way to get them engaged.
The market runs on Saturday mornings along Boulevard des Lices. Get there before 10am for the best selection.
1 hour
Our verdict
How Arles scores for families
Kids
Underground galleries, gladiator arenas, flamingo spotting, and a Van Gogh treasure hunt: Arles delivers genuine wow moments for curious children. The compact old town means less walking between highlights, which helps enormously with younger ones.
Culture
UNESCO World Heritage status, Roman ruins spanning five centuries, and Van Gogh's most productive period all concentrated in one small city. The cultural depth here is exceptional and genuinely accessible.
Food
Provençal and Camargue cuisine is flavourful and family-friendly, with plenty of simple bistro options alongside more adventurous local specialities. The Saturday market is a highlight for food lovers of all ages.
Nature
The Camargue wetlands right on the doorstep are a genuine natural highlight. The city itself is urban, but the surrounding landscape of the Alpilles, olive groves, and the Rhône adds beautiful natural context.
Budget
Arles is noticeably more affordable than Avignon or Aix-en-Provence. Many sites can be visited on a combined ticket, and the Van Gogh trail and Espace Van Gogh garden are free. Eating well without spending a fortune is very doable here.
Planning your visit
How long should you stay in Arles?
1
1 day
Quick visit
Hit the amphitheatre, the Van Gogh trail, and Place de la République. Enough for a taste, but you will leave wanting more.
sweet spot
2
2 days
Sweet spot
Two full days lets you explore the Roman sites, follow the Van Gogh trail at a relaxed pace, visit the Musée Antique, and add a morning in the Camargue. This is the honest answer for most families.
3
3 days
Deep dive
Three days gives you time to breathe, catch the Saturday market, take a longer Camargue excursion, and use Arles as a base for day trips to Les Baux-de-Provence or Pont du Gard.
Fun facts
Things to know about Arles
Van Gogh painted 300 works here in just one year
Vincent van Gogh lived in Arles from 1888 to 1889 and produced over 300 artworks during that single year, inspired by the intense Provençal light and landscapes. That works out to nearly one painting every single day.
People actually lived inside the amphitheatre
After the Roman era, the amphitheatre was converted into a small fortified town. At one point, around 200 houses and two chapels were crammed inside its walls, with people living where gladiators once fought.
Arles is the largest commune in France by area
The territory of Arles covers over 750 square kilometres, making it the largest commune in mainland France by surface area. Much of that land is the wild Camargue wetlands, home to thousands of flamingos.
Taste Arles
What to eat (and where) in Arles with kids
Bull bourguignon with Camargue rice
Local favouriteLe Galoubet
Taureau de Camargue is protected bull beef slow-cooked until tender and served with the nutty, slightly chewy Camargue red rice. It is a deeply satisfying local classic that most children take to immediately.
Seasonal market-inspired French-Vietnamese dishes
Must tryInari
Inari is housed in a converted 13th-century chapel and serves creative dishes built around whatever is fresh at the market that week. The setting alone is memorable, and the food is genuinely exciting without being intimidating.
Garden-to-table Provençal tasting menu
Must tryMas de La Chassagnette
Mas de La Chassagnette, led by chef Armand Arnal, is a short drive from Arles and focuses on sustainable gastronomy using local plants, meats, and fish. It is a special occasion choice that introduces kids to where food actually comes from.
Ratatouille and fresh Provençal vegetables
Safe choiceLe Galoubet
Ratatouille in Arles is nothing like the tinned version. Made with summer courgettes, aubergines, tomatoes, and herbs from the market, it is a colourful, flavourful dish that is reliably popular with younger eaters.
Provençal fish soup with rouille
Kids love itLe Galoubet
A thick, golden, deeply flavoured soup served with crusty bread and a spicy rouille sauce on the side. Let kids dip the bread and skip the rouille if spice is an issue: the soup itself is mild and delicious.
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