Arles

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08 October 2013

This area of France was conquered by the Romans about 2,000 years ago and in the 19^th century it became the centre for bullfighting in France. We saw evidence of both when we visited Arles, a town situated on the banks of the Rhone just inland from the Mediterranean coast.

A huge Roman Gladiatorial Arena is in the centre of town dominating the buildings and narrow streets around it. In the middle ages it was home to 200 dwellings until the 19^th century when it was cleared and converted into its present use, a bullring. Remains of a theatre and baths can also be seen in the town.

As well as the Roman antiquity, Arles also has a Romanesque Cathederal started in the ninth century and a 17^th century Hotel de Ville inspired by Versailles.



We stayed the night on the municipal campsite just outside the city of Nimes.

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