Arenes Review

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Arènes

  • Address: Rond Point des Arènes, Arles
  • Phone: 04-90-49-36-86

Fodor's Review:

Rivaled only by the even better-preserved version in Nîmes, this amazingly functional Roman arena dominates Old Arles. Its four medieval towers are testimony to its transformation from classical sports arena to feudal fortification in the Middle Ages—at the sacrifice of a full row of arches and much of the original structure. Younger than Arles's theater, it dates from the 1st century AD and, unlike the theater, seats 20,000 to this day. Its primary function: as a venue for the traditional spectacle of the corridas, or bullfights, which take place annually during the feria pascale, or Easter festival. Climb to the top of the tallest medieval tower, by the entry, to see the arena as a whole and take in Old Arles.

  • Cost: EUR 7
  • Open: May.-Sept., daily 9-7; Oct., daily 9-noon and 2-6; Nov. and Dec., daily 10-noon and 2-5; Mar. and Apr., daily 9-noon and 2-5:30
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