There are travel moments when history doesn’t feel like “long ago”—it feels present. On our Viking Rhone River Cruise excursion into Old Town Arles (click HERE to read) we stepped through sunlit arches and into the living story of the Arles Amphitheatre, a monument that has held the city’s heartbeat since 90 AD. Built as a testament to Roman engineering, it still crowns the center of Arles with quiet grandeur and enduring strength.
Walking up as we approached it was an absolutely beautiful setting!
Raised during the height of Roman influence in Gaul, the amphitheatre was designed for movement and spectacle: two tiers of arcades, 120 arches, horizontal passageways and staircases that guided the crowds with impressive efficiency.
Measuring approximately 136 m by 109 m, it seated about 21,000 spectators for chariot races, gladiatorial combats, and public celebrations—the social theater of an ancient world that loved order, drama, and the shared ritual of gathering.
As the Roman Empire receded in the 5th century, the amphitheatre’s purpose changed with the times. The people of Arles transformed it into a refuge and a fortress, adding four towers and building a small town within the arena itself—more than 200 houses and two chapels. For centuries, life unfolded inside these stones: homes clustered in the oval, a public square at the center, and chapels anchoring prayer to place. It is impossible to stand in the galleries and not feel both eras speaking at once.
In the late 1700s, a new chapter began. An expropriation process started in 1826 and was completed by 1830, clearing the houses from the arena and returning the monument to public life. That same year, the first modern event was held here—a bull race—signaling the return of the amphitheatre’s role as a place for the city to gather. In 1981, it was inscribed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage ensemble, “Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments,” honoring its significance and preservation.
What I love most is that the amphitheatre remains vibrant—not a relic behind glass, but a venue that still hosts performances, concerts, and bull games across the seasons. Even when we were there for a tour- you could see students on a field trip learning about the History. You can feel the continuity: stone built for crowds still welcoming them, an ancient oval still holding light and story. We climbed, paused, and looked out over the city’s rooftops—thankful for places that gently stitch past and present together.
I definitely recommend a trip to the Arles Ampitheater- it is an amazing piece of History to see! If you want to go here are a few facts to help you before you go:
Location: 1 Rond-point des Arènes, 13200 Arles, France (city center)
UNESCO: Listed since 1981 as part of “Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments.”
Today: The monument hosts cultural events (including bullfights, performances, and seasonal reenactments). Hours vary seasonally—check the official listing before your visit.
Disability Friendly?: Yes - there were opportunities for those in wheel chairs to be able to get into the Ampitheater and also be able to see inside. There were other places- for climbing stairs that are not possible to access.
Thank you for stopping by and reading today! I hope that you enjoyed this brief overview of our walking tour and my time in historic Arles! I can't wait to share more about our adventures on this cruise! If you are interested in reading more about our Rhone River Cruise with Viking, you can click on the links below:
Viking River Cruise (2025):
Arles: // The Arles Ampitheater (Les Arenes D' Arles) //A Day in Arles France //
Viking Cruise Specific Posts: // Embarkation Day on the Viking Delling //
// Viking Rhone River Cruise: Answers to Your Most FAQ's // 9 Must Have Experiences on the Viking Delling //
Viking Rhone River Specific IG Reels: // The Incredible Crew of the Viking Delling (IG Reel) //
Historical details and visitor information adapted from Arles-Guide.
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