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Day Trips & Excursions

Day Trips & Excursions

Provence, France

Nearby Destinations

Explore a selection of captivating cities and historical sites located just a short distance from Arles.

Book your adventures with GetYourGuide day trips for seamless exploration.

Popular Day Trips from Arles

  • Avignon: Palais des Papes and Pont Saint-Bénézet.
  • Nîmes: Roman Arena and Maison Carrée.
  • Pont du Gard: Ancient Roman aqueduct.
  • Les Baux-de-Provence: Medieval village & Carrières de Lumières.

Natural Escapes

Arles' location near the Camargue and Alpilles regions presents direct routes to distinctive natural settings.

Camargue Regional Natural Park

This vast wetland, detailed in earlier sections, is easily reachable from Arles. Explore by car, bicycle, or organized tour.

Activities

  • Horseback riding excursions.
  • Jeep safaris through wetlands.
  • Birdwatching at Pont de Gau (flamingos).

Alpilles Regional Natural Park

This park east of Arles displays picturesque landscapes with limestone cliffs and olive groves.

Features

  • Numerous hiking opportunities.
  • Fragrant garrigue and olive groves.
  • Picturesque small villages like Les Baux.

Coastal Escapes

Plages de Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

  • Coastal town in the Camargue.
  • Sandy beaches and a relaxed seaside mood.
  • Dine at seaside restaurants.
  • Combine with Camargue exploration.

Southern France Extensions

  • French Riviera: Marseille, Nice, Cannes.
  • Languedoc-Roussillon: Montpellier, Carcassonne.
  • Pyrenees: Hiking adventures.
  • Spain: Cross the border for cultural contrast.

Transportation Connections

  • Good train and road links.Straightforward travel
  • TGV network.Major cities access
  • Regional TER trains.Local connections
  • Well-maintained motorways.Easy car travel
  • Arles as a central hub.Explore Provence
  • Luberon villages.Scenic drives
  • Cassis and calanques.Coastal views
  • Deep dive into Camargue.Nature immersion

Travel Advice

Using Arles as your home base unlocks a variety of day trips and regional explorations, enriching your Provençal journey.

Cultural Excursions

Beyond Arles' Roman sites, discover the rural spirit of Provence.

Roman Sites Beyond Arles

Combine your Arles visit with Nîmes and Pont du Gard for a comprehensive Roman Provence exploration, connecting these ancient wonders.

Rural Villages & Agricultural Areas

Drive through the Provençal countryside to uncover smaller, authentic villages, vast olive groves, and rice fields.

Pilgrimage Sites

Cathédrale Saint-Trophime held significance on the medieval pilgrimage route. Other local chapels possess historical religious importance.

Provence Road Trip

Arles acts as a central base. From here, spend extra days exploring different aspects of Provence.

Ideas for Extending Your Stay

  • Add a day or two in the Luberon.
  • See famous hilltop villages and lavender fields.
  • Extend to the coast for Cassis and its stunning calanques.

Deep Dive into Camargue

Devote 2-3 full days to the Camargue, residing in a rural gîte.

Immersive Experiences

  • Extensive birdwatching opportunities.
  • Horse riding through the unique landscapes.
  • Jeep safaris for closer nature encounters.

Logical Next Destinations

French Riviera.East to Marseille, Nice.
Languedoc-Roussillon.West to Montpellier, Carcassonne.
Pyrenees.Further west for hiking.
Spain.Cross the border.
Direct train links.Major cities.
Well-maintained roads.Easy car travel.

Smart Planning

  • Check train and bus schedules in advance.
  • Consider car rental for greater flexibility in rural areas.
  • Organized tours often package several attractions for convenience.
  • Factor in travel time between destinations.
  • Enjoy the journey through Provence's diverse landscapes.

Multi-Day Extensions

Arles serves as an excellent starting point or base for extensive explorations of Southern France.

Provence Road Trip

Arles provides a central hub for further exploration. Spend additional days exploring diverse facets of Provence.

Extended Journeys

  • Add a day or two in the Luberon (Gordes, Roussillon).
  • Discover famous hilltop villages and lavender fields (in season).
  • Extend to the coast for Cassis and its stunning calanques.

Deep Dive into Camargue

Dedicate 2-3 full days to the Camargue. Staying in a rural gîte immerses you in the natural park.

Immersive Camargue Activities

  • Extensive birdwatching opportunities.
  • Horse riding in the unique landscape.
  • Jeep safaris for up-close encounters.

Logical Next Destinations

Consider extending your journey to other regions of Southern France.

Beyond Provence

  • French Riviera: Continue east to Marseille, Nice, Cannes.
  • Languedoc-Roussillon: Head west to Montpellier, Carcassonne.
  • Pyrenees/Spain: Further west for hiking or cross into Spain.

Transportation Links

Efficient transport options connect Arles to neighboring regions.

Getting Around

  • Good train connections via the TGV network to major cities.
  • Regional TER trains and buses connect local towns.
  • Well-maintained motorways facilitate car travel.

Planning Your Extended Trip

Tailor your multi-day journey to match your interests and desired pace.

Flexibility

Arles' central location makes flexible routing for multi-day trips straightforward.

Diverse Activities

Combine cultural, historical, and natural explorations for a balanced experience.

Local Immersion

Consider staying in different local accommodations to truly experience each area.

Your Journey, Your Way

Arles expands your travel horizons, providing a gateway to the wider region.

Additional Extensions

Arles provides an excellent starting point for longer explorations of Southern France.

Tailored Travel Experiences

1

Extended Provence Road Trip

Spend additional days exploring the Luberon's hilltop villages and seasonal lavender fields, or journey to the coast for Cassis' stunning calanques.

2

Immersive Camargue Experience

Dedicate 2-3 full days to the Camargue, staying in a rural gîte. Enjoy extensive birdwatching, horse riding, and jeep safaris to truly experience the natural park.

3

Beyond Provence

Continue east to the French Riviera (Marseille, Nice, Cannes) or head west to the Occitanie region (Montpellier, Carcassonne) and towards the Pyrenees or Spain.

Further Exploration Options

  • Visit the medieval city of Avignon.
  • Discover the Roman heritage of Nîmes.
  • Marvel at the ancient Pont du Gard aqueduct.
  • Explore the perched village of Les Baux-de-Provence.
  • Wander through charming Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
  • Experience the elegant city of Aix-en-Provence.

Outdoor and Nature Activities

  • Explore the vast wetlands of Camargue Regional Natural Park.
  • Relax on the sandy beaches of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.
  • Hike in the scenic Alpilles Regional Natural Park.
  • Enjoy birdwatching at the Ornithological Park Pont de Gau.
  • Discover the unique rice fields of the Camargue.
  • Experience horse riding through the wild landscapes.

Deep Dive into Culture & Heritage

Roman Legacy

Explore a network of Roman sites throughout Provence for a comprehensive historical journey.

Rural Provence

Journey through authentic villages, olive groves, and vineyards to uncover the region's agricultural traditions.

Pilgrimage Trails

Follow historical religious routes, visiting significant chapels and churches with a rich past.

Next Steps

Your journey from Arles expands into a world of diverse experiences, enriching your Provençal exploration.