Arles, Saint-Rémy, Les Baux & Saint-Paul-de-Mausole
This private tour of Provence takes you to Arles, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Les Baux-de-Provence. From Roman remains to medieval beauties, you'll be travelling through time and seeing iconic sites such as the amphitheatre and the cathedral of Arles.
This tour also includes a small Van Gogh trail, following the inspiration of the legendary painter in the very places where he created some of his most famous works, all set against the rugged beauty of the Alpilles limestone hills.
The Van Gogh trail takes you to Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, the Café La Nuit and the Espace Van Gogh. In Les Baux, we visit the village: the castle is only on request, with its entrance ticket. Glanum is not part of the tour. In Arles, the entrance tickets to the arena are paid by you.
The order of the day depends on where you are staying.
What You'll See
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Arles
UNESCO World Heritage since 1981
A city of great importance in Roman Gaul, Arles keeps Roman and Romanesque monuments listed together by UNESCO.
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The Arles Amphitheatre
Built around AD 90
Its amphitheatre, built around AD 90, held over 20,000 spectators; in the Middle Ages it became a fortress enclosing more than 200 houses, and it now hosts bullfights and summer concerts.
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Van Gogh in Arles
1888 – 1889
Van Gogh lived in Arles from 1888 to 1889 and produced over 300 paintings and drawings there.
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Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Alpilles · Van Gogh, 1889 – 1890
Saint-Rémy is the main town of the Alpilles.
From May 1889 to May 1890, Vincent van Gogh was a patient at the Saint-Paul asylum, in a former monastery of Saint-Rémy, where he painted The Starry Night.
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Les Baux-de-Provence
One of the Most Beautiful Villages of France
Perched on a rocky spur of the Alpilles and crowned by a ruined castle, Les Baux gave its name to bauxite, first identified there in 1821. Only about twenty people live in the upper village, which welcomes over 1.5 million visitors a year.
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The Alpilles
Limestone hills · 498 m at the highest
Low but striking, the Alpilles rise abruptly from the Rhône valley and the flat plain of the Crau: a range of arid limestone peaks and dry valleys, with olive and almond trees on the lower slopes.
Arles and the Alpilles, in Sophie's Photos
Arles
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence & Les Baux
Sophie's Reels
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Arles
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Saint-Paul-de-Mausole
Watch on Instagram: Saint-Paul-de-Mausole -
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Les Baux-de-Provence
Watch on Instagram: Les Baux-de-Provence
Meeting Point
Arles, Saint-Rémy, Les Baux or Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, or Orange or Avignon
Best Season
Spring to Autumn
Languages
English & French
Sophie, Born in Provence
Sophie was born in Provence, in the black truffle and Grignan-les-Adhémar region. She started Travel In Provence in 2016 as a wine tour guide, then became a licensed history guide. She holds the WSET (2016) and the French Wine Scholar (2021, Wine University of Suze-la-Rousse), and is featured in Rick Steves' Provence & the French Riviera guidebook (2023 edition onward).
Food, wine and history are her passions: her tours mix off-the-beaten-track places with the must-sees that cannot be missed.
More about Sophie →Good to Know
How long does the tour last?
6 hours.
Is the tour private, and for how many people?
Yes: every tour is private and tailored to your group. This one is for 1 - 4 people.
Where do we meet?
Arles, Saint-Rémy, Les Baux or Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, or Orange or Avignon.
How do we travel?
In Sophie's air-conditioned SUV, a Kia Sportage, with four seats for you, plus Sophie. You can also follow her in your own car.
Can Sophie pick us up anywhere?
Sophie picks you up in Orange, or directly at a place that is part of the tour (for example, your hotel in Arles for the Arles tour). If you are staying elsewhere, she can arrange a private driver (VTC) at your expense. Tour prices do not include transport.
How much walking is there?
The tours are not recommended for young children or for people with reduced mobility: expect stairs and some difficult paths, and the level depends on the tour.
How do we pay?
By bank transfer one month in advance, or on the day.
How much does it cost?
6 hours: 700 €, per group.
Which towns does the tour visit?
Arles, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Les Baux-de-Provence, with a small Van Gogh trail in the places where he painted.
What is on the Van Gogh trail?
Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, the Café La Nuit and the Espace Van Gogh.
Where does Van Gogh come in, in Saint-Rémy?
At Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, the former monastery where he was a patient and painted The Starry Night.
Do we visit Glanum and the castle of Les Baux?
No. Glanum is not part of the tour, and in Les Baux we visit the village only; the castle is possible on request, with its entrance ticket.
Do we go inside the arena of Arles?
Yes: the entrance tickets to the arena are paid by you.
In which order do we visit the towns?
It depends on where you are staying.
What is not included in the price?
Entrance tickets to monuments & museums · Lunch at a local bistro.
When is the best time to go?
Spring to Autumn.
Which languages does Sophie speak?
English and French.
How do I book?
Write to Sophie or call her: her email and phone number are on the Prices & Reservation page, with the price of every tour.
Ready to Experience Arles, Saint-Rémy, Les Baux & Saint-Paul-de-Mausole?
Every tour is private and tailored to your group.
Get in Touch with Sophie →
