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Nimes and Arles

Independent 6-day rail trip through Roman Nimes and Van Gogh's Arles

Illustration of Nimes and Arles

Railbookers operates this 6-day, 5-night independent rail trip through Nimes and Arles in the south of France, using SNCF trains including the Eurostar to Paris and onward service. The trip begins with three nights in Nimes, where days are spent visiting Roman sites such as the Maison Carree temple, built in 19 BC, and France's best-preserved amphitheatre, still in use for events today. Day 3 leaves time free for an optional excursion into the Provencal countryside or to Avignon, Orange, or Aix en Provence. On day 4, a train ride brings you to Arles for two nights, a city known for inspiring painter Vincent Van Gogh, with UNESCO World Heritage listed Roman monuments and the nearby Camargue wetlands to explore. There are no guided tours in the itinerary, so this suits independent travelers who prefer to set their own pace among Roman history and Provencal scenery.

What to know before you look closer

  • No guided tours are mentioned in the evidence; sightseeing in Nimes and Arles is self-directed.
  • The three Nimes hotels listed (Novotel Atria Nimes Centre, ibis Styles Nimes Gare Centre, ibis budget Nimes Centre Gare) are tier options for the same three nights, not consecutive stays; your final hotel depends on the tier you choose.
  • Only rail travel, hotel stays, and breakfast are included; the evidence does not mention other meals or admissions.
  • The optional daytrips to Avignon, Orange, or Aix en Provence on day 3 are not part of the included package; the evidence only notes the opportunity to visit.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Nimes

    Your Journey Begins in Nimes

    Upon arrival in Nimes, check in at your hotel for a three-night stay. Nimes became a Roman colony at some time before 28BC and evidence still remains today of the colony's heyday when an aqueduct was built to bring water from the hills and fortifications were made around the city. Two gates have survived from these original ramparts and the spectacular Pont du Gard outside the city is testament to Roman ingenuity.

  2. Day 2overnight: Nimes

    Nimes

    Spend two more full days enjoying the sights of Nimes. Visit Roman monuments such as the Maison Carree, a small Roman temple built in 19 BC, and France's best preserved amphitheatre which is still used as a venue for outdoor events. More recent structures such as the Gothic Cathedral and lovely 18th century Jardins de la Fontaine are also well worth a visit.

  3. Day 3overnight: Nimes

    Nimes

    After breakfast in your hotel this morning, continue to discover Nimes. During your stay, you may want to take the opportunity to explore outside the city. Discover the stunning countryside and hilltop villages of Provence or head for a daytrip to Avignon, Orange or Aix en Provence.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Arles

    Nimes to Arles

    Spend another morning in Nimes before heading back to the station for your train to Arles. Upon arrival in Arles, check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Spend the afternoon and evening wandering around the narrow streets of this beautiful, historic city. Discover where painter Vincent Van Gogh drew his inspiration and perhaps spend the evening in a restaurant not unlike that in his famous work, 'Cafe Terrace at Night,' which was painted here.

  5. Day 5overnight: Arles

    Arles

    Enjoy another full day exploring the city and surrounding area. Arles was an important Roman settlement and there are still plenty of monuments from the period to see, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage listed. You can also see some of Van Gogh's works at the Espace Van Gogh, a former hospital where the artist stayed on a couple of occasions. Out of Arles, the Camargue National Park is a stunning wetland area stretching to the coast where you can spot flamingos and wild white horses.

  6. Day 6rail

    Depart Arles

    After breakfast this morning, check out of your hotel and continue with your travels. If you wish to extend your journey, perhaps with an additional day in a different city, one of our Rail Specialists will be happy to assist you with the details.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Nimes's Roman heritage includes two surviving gates from the original ramparts and, just outside the city, the Pont du Gard aqueduct.
  • Day 2The Maison Carree, a Roman temple built in 19 BC, and France's best-preserved amphitheatre, still used for events, are among the sights.
  • Day 3A free day allows an optional excursion into the Provencal countryside or to Avignon, Orange, or Aix en Provence.
  • Day 4The train to Arles leads into narrow historic streets where Vincent Van Gogh drew inspiration for his paintings.
  • Day 5Arles's UNESCO World Heritage listed Roman monuments and the Espace Van Gogh sit near the wetlands of the Camargue National Park.

Included

  • Return Eurostar to Paris and onward rail travel throughout your trip
  • 3 night hotel stay with breakfast in Nimes
  • 2 night hotel stay with breakfast in Arles

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, return Eurostar to Paris and onward rail travel throughout the trip are included, using SNCF trains.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is independent; the evidence does not describe any guided tours.
Which trains are used?
SNCF trains, including the Eurostar to Paris and high-speed TGV service to Nimes, with a further train from Nimes to Arles.
What hotels are used?
Nimes offers three tier options for 3 nights (Novotel Atria Nimes Centre, ibis Styles Nimes Gare Centre, ibis budget Nimes Centre Gare), and Arles uses the Hotel Jules Cesar Arles, MGallery Collection, for 2 nights.
What is not included?
Only breakfast is included with the hotel stays; the evidence does not mention other meals, guided tours, or admissions.
How much walking is involved?
Days involve walking to Roman monuments and through the historic streets of Nimes and Arles.

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