Transportation
- Highway Access
- A54 highway connecting to Nîmes and Salon-de-Provence
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gare d'Arles (Avenue Paulin Talabot) - Connections to Avignon, Marseille, Paris
- Public Transport Passes
- Envia Transport (Pass Liberté: €30/month for unlimited city travel)
- Regional Travel
- TER Trains to Avignon (20 mins, €8) or Nîmes (25 mins, €9)
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (limited availability), Taxis Arlésiens (+33 4 90 96 80 00)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Europbike (Rue de la Calade) - €15-€25 per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Plage de Piémanson (40 km south in the Camargue) - Stunning wild beach
- Top Regional Airline
- Air France (via Marseille Provence Airport - MRS)
- Top International Airline
- Lufthansa, Ryanair, EasyJet (via Marseille or Montpellier airports)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Centre Hospitalier Joseph Imbert (Quartier de Fourchon)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Arles Yoga (Avenue Victor Hugo) - €15 per drop-in session
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Keepcool Arles (Avenue de la拖 - ~€30/month)
- Laundry Services
- Laverie Speed Queen (Rue de la République) - ~€5 per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats and Deliveroo
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Gardiane de Taureau (Camargue bull stew with red wine)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Le Meunerie (Rue des Porcelets) - Excellent plant-forward seasonal menu
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pâtisserie Masaki (Japanese-French fusion on Rue du Président Wilson)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- E.Leclerc Arles or Monoprix city center
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.fr, Cdiscount.com
- Grocery Delivery
- Carrefour Livré chez vous
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Place du Forum (Tourist hub) and Boulevard des Lices
- Local Brewery
- Brasserie de Camargue (Small local craft production often found in local bars)
- Wine Bars
- L'Epicier Moderne (Rue de la Liberté) - Focus on organic and natural wines
- Street Food Stalls
- Saturday Market (Boulevard des Lices) - Famous roasted chicken and socca
- Popular International Cuisine
- Chiringuito (Spanish/Tapas) or Le Bangkok (Thai)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Arles Amphitheatre (Les Arènes) and LUMA Arles (Frank Gehry Tower)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Musée Réattu (Fine arts) and Fondation Vincent van Gogh
- Historical Sites
- Alyscamps (Roman necropolis) and Théâtre Antique
- Religious Sites
- Église Saint-Trophime (UNESCO World Heritage portal/cloisters)
- Annual Events
- Les Rencontres d'Arles (International Photography Festival, Summer)
- Cultural Districts
- Parc des Ateliers (Contemporary art hub)
- Theater Venues
- Théâtre d'Arles (Boulevard des Lices)
- Local Markets
- Arles Saturday Market - One of the largest and most scenic in Provence
- Music Scene
- Cargo de Nuit (Concert venue for jazz, rock, and electro)
- Street Art
- Industrial murals around the SNCF train station area
- Cooking Classes
- L’Atelier Arlésien (Local Provençal cuisine workshops)
- Art Galleries
- Galerie Anne Clergue (Contemporary photography and art)
- Historic Buildings
- Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) at Place de la République
- Local Heritage
- Traditional Arlésienne costumes seen during the Fête du Costume
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue (Wild horses and flamingos)
- National Parks Nearby
- Parc National des Calanques (1 hour 15 mins drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Via Rhôna (EuroVelo 17) cycling route passing through Arles
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The roof terrace of the LUMA tower for 360-degree views of Provence
- Birdwatching Locations
- Parc Ornithologique de Pont de Gau (famous for pink flamingos)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly prohibited in most areas due to Mistral wind fire risks
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- La Poste (Place de la République), Mondial Relay points
- Tech Repair Services
- Docteur IT (Avenue de la Libération)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Club Arlésien de Tennis de Table (Gymnase Jean-François Lamour)
- Language Classes
- IF Provence (French immersion courses for foreigners)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Médiathèque d'Arles (Espace Van Gogh)
- Community Centers
- Maison de la Vie Associative
- Gaming Lounges
- Level Up Arles (Internet/gaming cafe nearby in Nîmes)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Partouche (located in nearby La Grande-Motte)
Essentials
- City
- Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
- Population
- Approx. 50,500
- Internet Speed
- Average 95 Mbps (Fiber optic widely available in the city center)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and high quality (Eau d'Arles)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets
- SIM Card
- Orange, SFR, Free Mobile (Store at Centre Commercial Shopping Promenade)
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut, N26, or local accounts via Hello Bank
- Accommodation
- Short-term: Airbnb (~€90/night); Mid-term: Coliving.fr (~€800/month)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted almost everywhere except for small market stalls under €5
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agency 'Arles Provence Immobilier'
- Budget Accommodation
- Auberge de Jeunesse HI Arles (Approx. €28 per night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- La Cité (Old Town) near the Roman Amphitheatre
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Trinquetaille (across the river for better value) or Roquette (trendy/artistic center)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- L'Arlatan (Coworking niche) or La Grappe (Rue de la République) - ~€20/day
- Best Cafe for Work
- Maison Genêt (Rue du Palais) - Quiet with reliable WiFi and excellent coffee
- Networking Events
- Les Rencontres d'Arles (Photography network events July-September)
- Social Events for Expats
- Arles Expat Meetup (Facebook Group) and events at L'Ouvre-Boîte
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,100 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €93,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €66,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,900 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €145,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,100 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €105,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,750 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €220,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €160,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard rate in France)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Flat tax/PFU)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (plus exceptional tax on high income up to 4%)
- VAT
- 20% (Standard rate)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable under French tax law
- Property Tax
- Yes, Taxe Foncière based on cadastral rental value
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 7-8% (Notary fees and land registration)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific digital nomad visa/tax break yet; use 'Auto-entrepreneur' status for lower initial rates