Arles

I took a train to Arles which was smaller and more compact than Nimes, nearly everything being within the ramparts, parts of which remained facing the Rhone.
I went into the Roman Ampitheatre and Theatre, the latter being prepared for a film or show.
The L'eglise Saint-Trophime and Le Cloitre Saint-Trophime both had wonderful stone carvings. The nearby Les Cryploportiques were underground passageways with a modern art installation.
I had the plat du jour at a restaurant in the Place du Forum near the cafe frequented and painted by Van Gogh.
I visited the Thermes de Constantin, and Le Musee Beattu in the former priory of the Knights of Malta.
Outside the ramparts, Les Alyscamps was a Roman and medieval graveyard surrounding the St Honorat church. Nearby, Luma Arles was a complex with old sheds repurposed with modern art, and an exhibition tower designed by Frank Gehry with great views from the outside terrace on the 9th floor.
Arles has a photography festival in July and August, plus lots of restaurants, museums and galleries in the compact space.
I had dinner back at St Charles where there were lots of SNCF staff welcoming spectators for the first night of Olympic football.Read more