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______________Arles,
the Camargue______________
Arles has a
population of 50 500 habitants. The ancient and roman town is on the UNESCO World Heritage
list.
Ancient town, christian and Renaissance, secret yet open, quiet yet festive, Arles
alternates - distinction rubs shoulders with simplicity. Deep down, Arles possesses and
archaic character shaped of wild nature and antique solemnity. It is delightful to wander
anywhere in the town. This very ancient town, marked by its Roman heritage and 16th
century architectur, displays a pronounced taste for grand festivity and feasts and
festivals regularly punctuacte the social life.
Le théatre antique |
L'amphithéatre romain |
Les Alyscamps |
The Camargue is a unique land, a wilderness where birds (Etang de Vaccarès),
bulls and horses cohabit (feast days and riding, rangers and ranches). Rice is also
cultivated here. It is an important stop-off point in Europe for migrating birds (December
wintering) and there are many parks and reserves.In this imposing space there are a host
of museums and initiation centres to welcome visitors, adults and children alike. Bull
festivities punctuate the seasons.
The Camargue Natural Regional Park, as well as its mission to protect the environment, possesses an
information and exhibition centre at Ginès.
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The
Saintes Maries de la Mer along with Salin de Giraud, lies the
gates to the Camargue. This is the Camargue of long beaches, boats trips or kayaking on
the Petit Rhône and the canals. Don't miss the 12th century fortified church and the
gypsy pilgrimage in May.
There is access to the sea wall to the east of Salin
de Giraud, visit the salt marshes and dunes at
the salt works.
Not far from there, Port-St-Louis-du-Rhône has a fortified tower and long deserted sandy beaches. Boat
trips out to sea.
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Flamingos |
Bulls and Rangers on horseback |
The Saintes Maries |
Le Pont Langlois |
Vincent Van Gogh, The Provençal Dutchman ( 1853-1890 )
Vincent Van Gogh was a mystic. Having lived among the
Dutch miners, he left for Paris before subsequently setting up home in Arles in Provence
where his search for God and the ideal became confused with his artistic quest. His
companion Gauguin, having painted Les Alyscamps, left for distant lands.The two artists
were completely taken up with their lives and their art. Only Cézanne, native of the
town, stayed in Aix. What remains of Van Gogh in Arles where he painted most of his
masterpieces? His paintings, wich are today worth astronomical sums, travel the world from
one collector to another, now part of the heritage of mankind. Vincent Van Gogh was a link
between Provence and the rest of the world.
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