Discover Three Unique Museums in Arles
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Arles is one of those fascinating little cities that rewards lingering. Sure, you can tick off the Roman arena and a few Van Gogh sites in an afternoon, but if you stay a few days, you’ll uncover so much more.
On my recent three-night, two-and-a-half-day stay, I discovered three wonderful museums in Arles. None of them are connected to Van Gogh (much as I adore him!), and each in itself is worth the trip.
If you love history, art, and culture, make time for:
- Musée Départemental Arles Antique (Museum of Ancient Arles and Provence)
- Musée de la Mode et du Costume
- Museon Arlaten
Each of these museums provides you with a unique perspective on the fascinating (and very old) city of Arles.
And bonus: At the end of this post, I mention two art sites related to Van Gogh. If you’re looking for a museum containing actual paintings by Van Gogh, you won’t find one in Arles. Check out the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and the Musee d’Orsay in Paris instead.
Tours in Arles
In addition to checking out the museums that I recommend in this post, here are some tours from GetYourGuide that take you deeper into this lovely city and beyond.
If you have the time, I particularly recommend the tour to the Camargue, so long as the weather isn’t too hot. I’ve toured the area several times, and had my best experience in October when I saw lots of flamingos with no crowds and no mosquitoes!
Musée Départemental Arles Antique (Museum of Ancient Arles and Provence)
This sleek, modern museum, a 20-minute walk from the center of Arles, was a revelation. I went expecting a dusty little collection of artifacts and instead found a world-class museum.
Roman Arles in Context
Arles was a Roman colony from the 1st century BC, and its position at the mouth of the Rhône made it both strategic and prosperous. Roman veterans retired here, trade flourished, and ambitious construction projects transformed the city. Many of the monuments—like the arena and theater—still dominate Arles today.
Museum of Ancient Arles and Provence Highlights
The Roman Barge
This spectacular 30-meter-long river vessel was discovered in 2004 in the Rhône and painstakingly reconstructed after three years of conservation work in Grenoble.
Seeing it reassembled—complete with the limestone slabs it was transporting when it sank—is breathtaking. A short film (with English subtitles) explains the recovery process.
Roman Artifacts
Thousands of artifacts have been recovered from the Rhône and are displayed in the airy, well-lit galleries.
Browse cases containing delicate glassware, household items, pots that look like they just came out of the kiln, and more.
Statues & Mosaics
The collection of Roman statues, including a bust of Julius Caesar, rivals collections I’ve seen in museums I’ve visited in Rome.
Most are in incredible shape, many having been preserved under the silt of the Rhône for centuries. The middle bust below is of Julius Caesar.
Several parts of the large mosaic currently being restored are completely intact. I have a soft spot for Roman mosaics, and this one didn’t disappoint.
The Museum of Ancient Arles and Provence is the kind of museum that makes the Roman world come alive.
Museum of Ancient Arles and Provence Practical Information
- Location: Presqu’île du Cirque Romain, Arles (next to the remains of the Roman circus).
- Hours: Closed Tuesday. Open Wednesday–Monday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (last admission 5:15 p.m.).
- Tickets: Around €8; free for under-18s. Check if there are renovations—sometimes entry is discounted or free.
- Tip: Combine your visit with a stroll through the leafy park that surrounds the old circus site.
Musée de la Mode et du Costume
Arles’ newest museum is a delight Housed in the elegant 18th-century Hôtel Bouchaud de Bussy in the heart of Arles, the museum opened only a month before my visit in summer 2025.
A Fashionable History
This is the seventh cultural museum opened by Fragonard Parfumier to showcase local traditions through perfume, jewelry, and costume. The Arles museum draws on the extraordinary collection of historians Odile and Magali Pascal.
Musée de la Mode et du Costume Highlights
Historic Costumes
Start your tour of the museum by viewing the exquisitely curated displays of clothing from the 18th to the 19th centuries The workmanship and detail are simply stunning.
The Arlésienne Costume
Several display cases feature mannequins wearing Arlésienne dress and show how it’s evolved over the past few hundred years. View the elaborate updos and lace or ribbon headdresses that women in Arles still wear during local festivals.
One of my reasons for visiting Arles is to conduct research for a novel set there in the 19th century. Many of my characters would be wearing traditional Arlésienne dress. Between the Costume museum and the Museon Arletan, I accumulated a wealth of information!
Here are some of the Arlésienne costumes featured at the Musée de la Mode et du Costume.
Contemporary Installation
Nine contemporary women don traditional costumes on screen, reminding visitors that these aren’t relics—they’re still part of living culture. I sat in the darkened room in front of the screen and watched the film loop three times–it was that fascinating!
Musée de la Mode et du Costume Practical Information
- Location: 7 rue de la République, Arles (near the Place de la République).
- Hours: Closed Monday. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Tickets: Around €6.50; free for children under 18.
- Tip: Pair your visit with a coffee on nearby Place de la République—you’ll be walking through the heart of historic Arles.
Museon Arlaten
If you’re curious about daily life in Provence, this museum is pure joy.
Founded by Nobel Prize-winning Provençal poet Frédéric Mistral in 1899, the Museon Arlaten was completely renovated and reopened in 2021.
Today, it’s a modern, interactive ethnographic museum spread over four floors of a grand 16th-century mansion that includes the ruins of the Roman forum.
Museon Arlaten Highlights
From Mistral’s original vision to today’s Provence, the exhibits trace how folk traditions have evolved.
Dioramas
Beautifully detailed scenes of traditional Provençal life are brought to life with interactive screens in three languages (including English). You can click on a number on screen that corresponds with an object in the diorama to learn more information.
Costumes & Textiles
Complementing the fashion museum’s displays, the extensive costume and textile displays focus more on everyday wear and work clothes, showing how locals dressed across centuries. I particularly appreciated this example of the distinctive Arlésienne hair dressing with embossed ribbons.
Music & Objects
You’ll find an excellent collection of musical instruments, with audio samples so you can hear their sounds, alongside tools, furniture, and crafts from daily life. Here’s the screen I brought up to explain the Serpent instrument.
This museum feels immersive, like stepping into a time capsule of Provence.
Museon Arlaten Practical Information
- Location: 29 rue de la République, Arles.
- Hours: Closed Monday. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Tickets: Around €8; reduced price if combined with other city museums.
- Tip: Don’t rush—there are over 3,500 objects to explore. Plan at least two hours.
A 2-Day Artsy Itinerary for Arles
If you’re staying in Arles for a couple of days, here’s how to organize your time so you can take in all the best museums, with plenty of pauses for food, coffee, and atmosphere.
Day 1: Romans & Van Gogh
Morning: Musée Départemental Arles Antique
- Start your day with a 20-minute walk from the center of Arles to the Museum of Ancient Arles and Provence. Arrive when it opens (10 a.m.) so you can enjoy the galleries before they get busy.
- Plan to spend about two hours exploring the Roman barge, mosaics, and the museum’s remarkable artifacts, and watching the fascinating film about how the barge was recovered from the river and restored.
☕ Coffee Tip: If you need a caffeine fix on the way, grab one at Le Café Georges (along Boulevard Clemenceau)—a local favorite.
Lunch
Head back toward the center and stop for lunch at Le Jardin de la Muette, a leafy spot not far from the arena that serves Provençal cuisine with a modern touch.
Afternoon: Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles
Although Arles doesn’t have any Van Gogh originals, the Fondation Van Gogh celebrates his spirit through exhibitions that pair his works with contemporary artists inspired by him.
The building itself—a beautifully restored 15th-century mansion—is worth a visit. Exhibits rotate regularly, so you’ll always find something fresh. Expect to spend about 1.5–2 hours.
Van Gogh Walking Tour
Download an audioguide to take a self-guided walking tour of Van Gogh sites (the Place du Forum café, the Espace Van Gogh garden, and more).
I purchased the walking tour called In the Footsteps of Van Gogh: An Arles Audio Guide from Context Travel, which I recommend. Or, you can download a free auioguide at the Tourist Information Office. While you’re there, pick up their handy paper map.
Day 2: Fashion, Folk Traditions & Futuristic Art
Morning: Musée de la Mode et du Costume
- Begin in the heart of Arles at the Musée de la Mode et du Costume. Spend 1–1.5 hours admiring the curated historic costumes and the beautiful Hôtel Bouchaud de Bussy.
- Don’t miss the film showing contemporary women dressing in traditional costume—a lovely bridge between past and present.
☕ Coffee Break: Have a mid-morning espresso at Café Van Gogh on Place du Forum. Yes, it’s touristy, but sitting under the yellow awning that inspired his famous café painting is a must-do.
Late Morning to Lunch: Museon Arlaten
- Just down the street is the Museon Arlaten, a perfect companion to the costume museum. Plan at least 2 hours to enjoy the dioramas, costumes, musical instruments, and thousands of everyday objects.
- It’s immersive, interactive, and gives you an insider’s view of Provençal culture.
🥗 Lunch Tip: Stop at Chez Hélène, a casual Provençal café near Place de la République, for a simple but delicious lunch.
Afternoon: Luma Arles
- End your Arles museum tour with something completely different: the Luma Arles contemporary art complex, located in the Parc des Ateliers (about a 10-minute walk south of the center).
- You can’t miss Frank Gehry’s dazzling, twisting metal tower—the centerpiece of Luma. Inside are rotating contemporary art exhibitions, installations, and immersive multimedia experiences.
- Surrounding the tower are landscaped gardens, exhibition halls, and a vibrant café scene.
- Expect to spend at least 2–3 hours, especially if you enjoy contemporary art or photography.
🍹 Dinner & Evening: Stay in the Luma neighborhood and enjoy a relaxed dinner at La Chassagnette, a Michelin-starred restaurant with a focus on seasonal, locally grown produce. Or, head back into town for something more casual like Bistrot Arlésien.
Notes & Tips
- Tickets: Some Arles museums offer combined tickets—worth asking if you plan multiple visits.
- Timing: Most museums open at 10 a.m. and close around 6 p.m., with last entry around 5:15 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays are common closing days—plan accordingly.
- Walking: Arles is compact—everything except the Roman museum and Luma is within a 5–10 minute walk. Wear comfortable shoes for cobblestones!
✨ With this itinerary, you’ll cover Romans, Van Gogh, Provençal life, historic costumes, and cutting-edge contemporary art—all in two days. Arles truly offers a museum experience like no other in Provence.
Where to Stay in Arles
I stayed at the Mercure Arles Centre Arenes, a chain hotel with comfortable rooms, easy parking, and mostly importantly, a very convenient location. The hotel even has a teeny swimming pool on the roof with views over Arles.
Several times a day, I crossed the street from the hotel, passed the Tourist Information Center, and entered the narrow streets of central Arles. Nothing is more than a 10 to 15 minute walk from the hotel, including Luna and the Archeological Museum.
Here’s a map showing other options for staying in Arles.
https://stay22.com/embed/68b0be7f1d7732c5a6147a48
Conclusion
Arles offers so much more than Roman ruins and Van Gogh trails. These three museums—ancient history, local costume, and Provençal life—together provide a rich, layered portrait of the city and its people.
If you’re an artsy traveler like me, block out a couple of days to dive deep into Arles’ museums. You’ll come away with a much richer appreciation for this little city at the mouth of the Rhône, where history, art, and tradition flow together as seamlessly as the river itself.
Have you visited Arles? Share your suggestions for other artsy travelers in the Comments below.
Here are some more posts about favorite museums:
- Museum Ludwig in Cologne: Excellent Choice for Modern Art Lovers
- Best Tips for Visiting Beethoven House in Bonn
- Things to See at the Design Museum in London
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