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Vancouver to Roman Provence: Arles and Nîmes

Vancouver → Arles → Nîmes

Arles
"Arles - 2017-05-24 - Roman Amphitheatre - 3804.jpg" by PierreSelim, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Notre-Dame de la Garde aerial view 2020 (Marseille)
Photo: Earth777, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Van Gogh's town & the most Roman city outside Italy Best season (general guide): Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

Provence's Roman heritage is at its richest around the Rhône delta, where two cities stand a short train ride apart. This route spends three nights in Arles and three in Nîmes. From Vancouver you'll connect through a European hub to Marseille, then take the train.

How to pace it: Arles was an important Roman city in Gaul, and its Roman and Romanesque monuments are listed together by UNESCO. On day two, visit the first-century amphitheatre, which could seat around 20,000 spectators and is still used for events, and the Roman theatre; Vincent van Gogh lived here in 1888 and 1889 and painted hundreds of works of its cafés and fields. Day three is for the Camargue, the largest wetlands in France, much of it inside the commune of Arles, known for white horses, black bulls and flamingos.

On day four, take the train to Nîmes, between the Mediterranean and the Cévennes, often called the most Roman city outside Italy. Its arena is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world. Give day five to the Maison Carrée, a temple from the first years of the empire, listed by UNESCO in 2023, and day six to the Pont du Gard, the three-tiered aqueduct bridge outside the city that once carried water to Nîmes. Denim takes its name from the city's serge de Nîmes.

Practical notes: spring and early autumn are the best seasons, before and after the hot, dry summer. Both cities hold férias, festivals with bullfighting traditions that draw large crowds, so check dates and book early if you visit then.

Safety: Canada asks travellers to France to take a high degree of caution (updated 11 Aug 2026), and the US rates France Level 2 (28 May 2025).

Suggested outline

  1. Vancouver

    Start

  2. Arles

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    Roman arenas, Van Gogh's light and the Camargue.

  3. Nîmes

    By train · 3 nights suggested

    A city of Roman temples, with the Pont du Gard nearby.

    Maison Carrée Nîmes
    "Maison Carree in Nimes (16).jpg" by Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Arles — Arrive; train from Marseille· Vancouver → Marseille (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day, then Marseille → Arles (overland)
  2. Day 2 · Arles — Arena and the Roman theatre
  3. Day 3 · Arles — Camargue wetlands
  4. Day 4 · Nîmes — Train to Nîmes; the arena· Arles → Nîmes (by train)
  5. Day 5 · Nîmes — Maison Carrée
  6. Day 6 · Nîmes — Pont du Gard
  7. Day 7 · Nîmes — Travel home from Nîmes· Nîmes → Marseille (by train), then Marseille → Vancouver (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Arles

Nearest airport: Marseille Search fares · Marseille ↗

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