Arles - Arènes Amphitheatre

Must-see attractions nearby: Alyscamps Musée Réattu Museum of Arles Place de la République Montmajour Abbaye Arles Forum Van Gogh Foundation

Seating for the spectators was once on 34 rows of tiered steps; the arena itself was built into the bedrock of the site. In Roman times a wooden floor was provided over the rock; the holes in which the supporting joists were fixed can still be seen in the wall surrounding the arena.

In the Middle Ages the citizens converted the amphitheater into a fortress by the addition of towers and the walling up of the arcades, of which there were originally three rows; the third no longer exists. When Prosper Mérimée cleared and restored the arena 150 years ago three of the towers were left standing. The one over the entrance can be climbed and from it there is a charming view over the roofs of the Old Town and of the nearby ancient theater. Nowadays in summer bull-fights take place in the arena.