Arles is a town I keep coming back to again and again. Maybe it’s the way history and art are woven into every street. No matter how often I visit, I still find myself stopping to imagine Vincent Van Gogh or Paul Gauguin where I’m standing.
Why Arles is a Must-Visit for Art Lovers
If you love Van Gogh, Gauguin, or art history, Arles should be on your travel list. This is where Van Gogh, who created over 300 works here, convinced Paul Gauguin to join him in an ill-fated artistic collaboration and where some of the most famous scenes in art and history still exist today.
The fact that you can sit for a drink at the café from “Café Terrace at Night” and stand by the Rhône under the evening sky just like in “Starry Night Over the Rhône” is almost too much to comprehend. It’s a reminder that art isn’t just something to see in a museum. Visiting Arles, it’s something you can feel and touch.
Van Gogh’s Dream of the Yellow House
When Van Gogh moved to Arles in 1888, it is said he was chasing the brilliant light of Provence. He had an idea for a studio where artists could live and work together. He rented a small house near the train station and painted it bright yellow—a reflection of his excitement and hope. Inviting Paul Gauguin to join him, they painted side by side for two months.
While together, tension grew between the two men. Their personalities and artistic styles clashed—Van Gogh painted with raw emotion and color, while Gauguin favored symbolism and structure. After only a few months together, the differences between the two artists erupted into a heated argument. Van Gogh suffered a breakdown, cutting off part of his ear. Gauguin left soon after marking the tragic end of their collaboration.
Despite their conflict, Van Gogh and Gauguin’s time together in Arles was one of the most intensely productive periods in their careers, leading to some of their most celebrated works.
Where to Follow Van Gogh’s Footsteps in Arles
When visiting Arles, here are places that meant the most to Van Gogh—the locations you shouldn’t miss.
The Yellow House (Place Lamartine)
Though destroyed during World War II, the site of the Yellow House is still marked, allowing visitors to visualize where Van Gogh and Gauguin lived. A plaque commemorates the location, and nearby, you can see the railroad tracks that appear in Van Gogh’s paintings.
Café Terrace at Night (Place du Forum)
One of Van Gogh’s most beloved paintings comes to life at Le Café Van Gogh, with its bright yellow walls replicating the scene from 1888. Sit here with a coffee or a glass of wine and imagine Van Gogh sketching under the glow of the street lamps.
The Hospital of Arles – The Old Hospital Courtyard (Espace Van Gogh)
After his breakdown, Van Gogh was treated at the old hospital of Arles, now a cultural center. The courtyard still resembles his painting “Garden of the Hospital in Arles,” with its blooming flowers and arched walkways.
The Rhône Riverbank (“Starry Night Over the Rhône”)
A short walk from Place du Forum, the spot where Van Gogh painted “Starry Night Over the Rhône” offers a breathtaking view at dusk. The reflections of the lights in the water mirror the stars, just as Van Gogh saw them.
Musèe d’Orsay (Paris)
The Alyscamps (Gauguin’s Influence)
This ancient Roman necropolis in Arles fascinated both Van Gogh and Gauguin. In late October 1888, the two artists painted side by side at Les Alyscamps. Both artists depicted the same site numerous times, but their interpretations reflected their unique artistic visions. Van Gogh painted in fiery autumn hues, while Gauguin depicted d it in a more subdued, mystical style. Walk through the cypress-lined pathways to experience the beauty that inspired them.
What Did Gauguin Paint in Arles?
While Van Gogh produced over 300 works in Arles, Gauguin was more selective, completing only a handful of paintings there (17). However, these works reflect his growing interest in Symbolism and Synthetism, emphasizing bold colors, flattened forms, and abstract elements. His experience in Arles would later define his Tahitian works.
Night Café at Arles (Madame Ginoux)
Gaugin’s portrait of Madame Ginoux, owner of the Café de la Gare, where both artists often spent time, is more subdued and structured than Van Gogh’s swirling, chaotic The Night Café.
Van Gogh Painting Sunflowers
A rare portrait of Van Gogh, Gauguin captures the image of his friend, mid-stroke, painting his famous sunflowers. This painting highlights their artistic differences: Gauguin’s style is calm and composed, while Van Gogh’s world swirls with energy.
Arlésiennes (Mistral)
This portrait, painted by Gauguin, shows two women from Arles dressed in traditional Provençal attire against a windswept landscape (Misral). Unlike Van Gogh’s expressive brushstrokes, Gauguin’s version is calm, structured, and decorative.
Alyscamps
Gauguin painted the ancient Roman necropolis in Arles, a site both he and Van Gogh visited together.. While Van Gogh’s Les Alyscamps is vibrant and fiery, Gauguin’s version is more muted, mystical, and structured.
Plan Your Van Gogh-Inspired Trip to Arles
Step into the paintings of Van Gogh and Gauguin. Follow in their footsteps, explore the places that inspired their masterpieces, and experience the allure of this historic mecca.
Arles is more than just another beautiful town in Provence—it’s a living museum of Van Gogh’s world. If you’ve ever wanted to walk through the streets and landscapes in Provence that inspired his works, this is the place to do it.
Art Walk Map of Arles
- Le Cafe le soir (Cafe Terrace at night), 11 Place du Forum
- L’escalier du Pont de Trinquetaille (The stairs of Pont de Trinquetaille), 1 rue du Bac
- La Nuit Etoilée (Starry Night), Quai du Rhône
- La Maison Jaune (The Yellow House), Place Lamartine
- Les Arènes (The Arenas)
- Le Vieux Moulin (The Old Windmill), Rue Mireille
- Les Alyscamps, Les Alyscamps (Gauguin also painted this tree-lined road)
- Le Jardin Public (The Public Garden), Jardin d’Été
- Le Jardin de la Maison de santé (The Courtyard of the Hospital at Arles), Espace Van Gogh, Place Félix Rey
- Le Pont de Langlois aux Lavandières (Langlois Bridge at Arles), now named Pont Van Gogh, Chemin de Maillanen (location incorrectly marked on the map)
More Art in Arles
Arles is a living monument to contemporary art, and its attraction as a world-class venue beyond its Van Gogh legacy is alive today. Make a point to visit some of these art spaces in town.
LUMA Arles, a striking cultural center designed by Frank Gehry, is a must-visit. Its futuristic tower and sprawling creative campus feature cutting-edge exhibitions, installations, and artist residencies.
Rencontres d’Arles, an internationally acclaimed photography festival each summer, transforms Arles into an open-air gallery with exhibitions in historic spaces.
Fondation Vincent Van Gogh showcases contemporary artists in dialogue with Van Gogh’s influence For modern and experimental art, t
Musée Réattu, housed in a former priory along the Rhône, offers an impressive collection of works by Arles-born painter Jacques Réattu and a unique photography archive.
Best Time for Art Lovers to Visit Arles
The best seasons to explore Arles are spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October), when the weather is perfect and the crowds are smaller.
How to Get to Arles from Paris, Nice, or Marseille
From Paris: Take the TGV high-speed train (3.5 hours)
From Nice: A scenic 3-hour train ride
From Marseille: A quick 40-minute train ride
Where to Stay in Arles (My personal favorites!)
Hôtel & Spa Jules César Arles – 5-star comfort in a historic setting
L’Arlatan – Elegance and art. This hotel is not only a place for a luxurious stay, it’s a work of art.
Hotel Du Musee – Lovely hotel in the old town of Arles
Is Arles Worth Visiting? Absolutely.
Arles has something special—not just for art lovers, but for anyone who loves the feeling of walking through history. There’s nothing quite like standing in the places Van Gogh painted, seeing the colors and light that inspired his genius. You’ll walk away with a deeper connection to Van Gogh’s world—and maybe even a little artistic inspiration of your own.
Have you visited Arles? What was your favorite Van Gogh site? Let’s chat in the comments!
