Arles with a private chauffeur: the arena, the theatre, Van Gogh
Arles is best explored on foot, and that is where a private chauffeur makes the difference: you are dropped as close as possible to the old town and collected at an agreed spot, with no parking space to hunt for. The town has six monuments inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981 as “Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments”: the amphitheatre, the ancient theatre, the cloister of Saint-Trophime, the cryptoporticus, the Baths of Constantine and the Alyscamps.
According to the town of Arles, the amphitheatre, known locally as the arènes, was built at the end of the 1st century to hold 21,000 spectators; the nearby ancient theatre was completed around 12 BC. Vincent van Gogh lived in Arles from February 1888 to May 1889, and the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles pays tribute to his work and to its influence on artists today. Two or three stops are plenty for a morning.
LUMA Arles and the Rencontres photography festival
In the Parc des Ateliers, a former industrial site, LUMA Arles holds exhibitions and events throughout the year. Its tower, designed by Frank Gehry, has been open to the public since June 2021; some of the works in the park are free to see, while the exhibitions require a ticket.
Every summer, Les Rencontres d’Arles, the photography festival, spreads its exhibitions across the town, often in historic buildings. In 2026, the 57th edition runs from 6 July to 4 October, according to the town of Arles; the opening week is in early July.
Dates change from one edition to the next and the programme is published by the festival, so check them before settling on your visit. For an evening at the festival, tell us when you would like to be driven back to Marseille or Aix; this is set out in the quote.
The Camargue: Pont de Gau, flamingos and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
South of Arles, between the two arms of the Rhône, lies the Camargue. The Camargue Regional Nature Park, created in 1970, covers three municipalities: Arles, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône. Rice fields to the north, lagoons, salt marshes and samphire flats towards the sea, Camargue bulls and white horses in the meadows: a landscape to take in through the car window as much as on foot.
Near Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, the Pont de Gau bird park spreads over 60 hectares of ponds and marshes where hundreds of flamingos can be seen; it is open all year round. For walks, the Regional Nature Park advises mosquito repellent, sun protection and water in summer, and asks visitors to keep to marked paths and respect private property.
In Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, the main pilgrimage takes place every year on 24 and 25 May, with processions down to the sea. If your visit falls on those dates, mention it in your request and the route will allow for it.
Aigues-Mortes and Les Baux, a little further
To the west, already in the Gard, Aigues-Mortes is still enclosed by its walls. The Centre des monuments nationaux opens the Tour de Constance, a remnant of Saint Louis’s castle, to visitors, together with the 1,640 metres of ramparts around the town. It pairs naturally with Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer on a day devoted to the Camargue.
North-east of Arles, Les Baux-de-Provence and the Carrières des Lumières already belong to the Alpilles. To combine them with Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, see Private driver in the Luberon and the Alpilles.
Planning a day in Arles and the Camargue with a chauffeur
Arles and the Camargue fit into one day, as long as you choose. A few combinations that work well:
- Arles and the Camargue: the arena and the ancient theatre in the morning, lunch in town, then Pont de Gau and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.
- The Camargue alone: Pont de Gau in the morning, lunch in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Aigues-Mortes in the afternoon.
- Arles for art lovers: LUMA Arles, the Fondation Vincent van Gogh and, in season, the Rencontres exhibitions.
- Arles and the Alpilles: the centre of Arles in the morning, Les Baux-de-Provence in the afternoon.
The chauffeur collects you from your hotel or address in Marseille or Aix and remains at your disposal for the agreed time, which is set in the quote, depending on the start time, the stops and your pace. For a group or plenty of luggage, a van such as a Mercedes V-Class may suit better than a saloon; cars are provided by the Federation’s members, subject to their availability.
For a chauffeur at your disposal over several days, see Marseille chauffeur by the hour or by the day. Arles also pairs well with Avignon, further north: see Private driver for Avignon and its surroundings. Staying in Aix? See Private chauffeur in Aix-en-Provence. On a port day, it all depends on the docking and all-aboard times: see Private chauffeur at the Marseille cruise port. When you write to us, from our Contact page or on WhatsApp, include the date, the pick-up place and time, the stops you have in mind, the number of passengers and when you want to be back.