Arles and Tarascon

Arles was an important city in the Roman empire. It fell to the Visigoths in the 6th century and to Muslim invaders in 730. In the 10th Century it became the capital of the kingdom of Burgundy, later known as the kingdom of Arles. This became independent but was absorbed into Provence in 1239.

Amphitheater

Because of the extensive Roman history, there are many Roman ruins here. The Arles amphitheater was built in 90 AD. It seated 20,000 people. When the Romans left France, the locals used it for housing and even built 2 churches in it. The blocks jutting from the top were added in the middle ages.

Corridor of the amphitheater

Inside the amphitheater: there were school kids there on a field trip

Roman theater

Arles also has the remains of a Roman theater and bath. There was a forum and circus as well.

The Church of St Trophime is a former cathedral that was built from the 12th to 15th centuries on the site of a 5th century basilica.

Place de la République. The obelisk is Roman and was originally in the circus.

The only remains of the Roman forum

Lavender

Van Gogh lived in Arles from 1888-1889 and completed over 200 paintings and 100 drawings while there.

Café Terrace at Night: Van Gogh painting at this cafe, which was renovated to replicate the cafe at the time. Replica of the painting under the awning.

The Garden of the Hospital in Arles: Van Gogh made a painting while he was here after he cut off his ear.

Van Gogh painted Starry Night Over the Rhône from this vantage point (minus the cruise ship).

We then moved on to the town of Tarascon. This town is associated with the legend of the tarasque, a mythical beast. The story is that this dragon like beast was terrorizing the area and eating people yet nobody could defeat it. Even six men could not control it. Saint Martha came from the Holy Land, whispered to it while wrapping a rope around it. She was able to calm the beast, perhaps convert it. The townsfolk then killed it.

killing the tarasque

Street in Tarascon

The local church, Église Sainte-Marthe de Tarascon, is dedicated to Saint Martha. It was dedicated in 1197 and enlarged in the 14th and 15th centuries. The tip of the church tower was destroyed during Allied bombings on August 16, 1944 and was later rebuilt. There is a crypt that dates to the 3rd century.

Tarascon castle was built from 1401-1449. It is known as King René’s castle. René of Anjou lived in the 15th century and was the Duke of Anjou, Count of Provence, and King of Naples. He is known in France as Good King René. His sister, Marie of Anjou, was the Queen of France. The castle sits right on the Rhône.