Aries

Wednesday, July 15th

Arles

In Arles, capital of the Provence, join your Local Guide for a GUIDED CITY TOUR. See the church of St. Trophime, dating from the 12th century, and visit the ROMAN AMPHITHEATER. Still used today, the amphitheater dates to the 1st century, and was constructed to hold over 20,000 spectators. Vincent Van Gogh was inspired by the special light of the Provence and spent a very productive year in Arles. 

Our guided tour left at 8:45AM.  The weather was warm but not excedingly hot and there was a nice breeze,

Our guide explaining our route

LLes Arenes (The Arena)  This amazingly well preserved amphitheter was constructed in 90 AD and could seat 26,000 spectators.

Church of ST. Trophime.  Romanesque building notablee for it's magnificent carved portal.

Espace van Gogh.  This hospital (Hotel Dieu) was were van Gogh was brought after he had mutilated himself.  This garden in the center of the now art center, has been planted with flowers as the picture van Gogh painted invisioned.  van Gogh lived in Arles from 1888 to 1889.  He was greatly inspired by what he called the "wonderful yellow sun" of Provence and these years saw him in a veritable frenzy.  The artist committed suicide in 1890.