Are you looking for the best things to do in Arles, France, on a budget? You’ve come to the right place! This post contains lists of budget tips, places to eat, local recommendations, travel products, and, of course, the best things to do in Arles, France on a budget!
If you’ve ever dreamed of wandering through sun-washed French towns with a baguette in one hand and a journal in the other, let me introduce you to Arles – aka the land of Roman ruins, Vincent van Gogh, wild bulls, and the most magical budget travel vibes you could imagine. I stumbled into Arles while exploring southern France, fueled by €2 espresso and a Google Doc full of wishful thinking. What I discovered was a quaint and quiet little town full of crazy artists, bulls running through the streets, and Roman ruins around every corner.
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Fun Facts About Arles!
If ancient history is your thing (or even if it’s not), Arles is the PERFECT spot for you. We’re talking legit Roman amphitheatres, stone tunnels straight out of a fantasy film, and an obelisk that was literally rolled into town on logs.
Some fun facts to keep in your back pocket:
- Arles was founded by Greek settlers in 600 BC (!!!).
- The Romans turned it into a major city and hub of ancient life.
- The Amphitheatre is still used today for concerts, events, and even bullfights.
- There’s also a Roman theater that you can explore!
- On May 1st, there’s a ceremony where young men become “Guardians” (which are basically French cowboys) by riding white Camargue horses in traditional dress. It’s a huge deal to young men and the community as a whole.
- Bulls literally run through the streets during festivals. Sorry Spain. You’re not original for that!
If you’re wanting some extra Arles help, head to my #1 favorite website: Rick Steves Travel.
If you’re wanting a deep dive into France (history, emergency numbers, culture tips, walking tours, etc.), I 10000% recommend grabbing Rick Steves France Travel Guide from Amazon!
Heading to Europe? Check out my list of MUST-HAVE TRAVEL PRODUCTS FOR 2025 and Best Travel Apps to Have Before Going to Europe!
Van Gogh Was Here… With Just One Ear…
Hopefully this name rings a bell for you… Van Gogh was an incredible artist who, yes, low-key went insane and cut off his own ear. Anyways, this town is FULL of traces of the life of Van Gogh. He painted Café Terrace at Night and Yellow House here. You can explore the town and see the places where he lived or buildings and cafes that inspired him! This is something I absolutely recommend.
One random and crazy fact that I learned is that after fighting bulls in Arles, the victorious fighters would cut off the ears of the bulls they had beat… is this where Van Gogh got his inspo? I guess we’ll never know.
If you want to do some more exploring on your own time, you can actually get an audioguide to walk in Van Gogh’s footsteps! Click below!
Where to Eat (on a Budget)
Arles may be small, but you can find some GOOD eats – even if you’re broke and hungry like I am.
- Volubilis: Affordable, flavorful Moroccan food that was recommended to me by a local as the best restaurant in Arles!
- Best Bakery in Town: This was another local recommendation. Check out Maitre Artisan (although you can basically stop at any bakery you see and get the best of the best).
- Café Madame: Iconic, artistic, and great for people-watching.
Things to do in Arles, France on a Budget
So many little things make Arles feel like a dream:
- Go see the Cavalry Gate – a leftover from the city’s old medieval walls and entrance to the Old Town area of Arles.
- As you’re heading to Arles, you’ll probably see the Ancien Pont aux Lions, which is the start of an ancient bridge (now fallen down).
- See Arles from the water! You can walk alongside the river and explore, checking out Arles from the riverside.
- You HAVE to go look at the arena! It’s huge (not quite as large as the famous Roman colosseum), but it’s incredible to look at. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s remarkably well-preserved, and there are still community cultural events held there today!
- One of the main areas to explore is the Place du Forum. There are a ton of great restaurants and places to shop in this spot.
- Check out the art on the Amédée Pichot fountain – it’s right next to the Cavalry Gate.
- Check out the obelisk dragged all the way from TURKEY and installed for chariot races!
- A MUST-SEE! THE The Cryptoporticoes!
- This is an underground structure in Arles that used to support the Roman forum and the buildings above. They’re now a UNESCO world heritage site. You can go explore them and see the early ruins of the old city.
- Go see the historical garden area that inspired Van Gogh’s painting Garden at Arles. There are some fun souvenir shops nearby here if you’re wanting to shop a bit! If you find the Hotel de Dieu and go under the tunnel, you’ll find the garden! For another Van Gogh spot, go see Le Cafe La Nuit (aka Cafe Van Gogh).
- Hôtel de Ville is another cool spot to look at. You can see some interesting sculptures and incredible ceilings as you explore the inside.
- One last thing to check out is the Église des Trinitaires!
Feeling Overwhelmed?
There’s a ton to do in Arles, and one thing that I really appreciate is getting to know the history and layout of a town before I start to explore it on my own. You can get a dirt cheap walking tour of the city below which will help you figure out what you want to do during the rest of your trip and other things to do in Arles, France on a budget.
Budget Tips For Arles
- Stay in one of the spots below! You can shave hundreds of dollars off your trip by staying in a budget hotel or hostel. I recommend these if you’re on a budget!
- Ask locals where to eat. Seriously. They know.
- Avoid Place du Forum if you’re looking for cheap eats. Opt for a boulangeries where you can grab a super cheap bite to eat. You can also head to the local Arles market on Wednesdays and Fridays for fresh food to cook or pastries/sandwiches/fruit.
- Take full advantage of all the free spots to explore in Arles! For example, you can enter Église Saint-Trophime and Place de la République for free!
- WALK! There’s no need for taxis or ride shares since everything is really within walking distance.
- GET A TICKET PACKAGE! If you’re wanting to see all of the historical sights in Arles without burning through your bank account, click the link below to get multiple attractions in a cheaper ticket!
Thanks For Being Here!
Thank you so much for continuing to read and support this blog! You guys are the GREATEST! Travel blogging is my passion and my dream, and I hope that this post helps you get a deeper sense of adventure, culture, and all the good things waiting in Arles for you! Hopefully this was a helpful list of things to do in Arles, France on a budget!
If you go to Arles, let me know! Drop a comment about things you loved or recommend!
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