Arles is a city in the south of France, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur région,  extending on the Camargue plain where the Rhône River divides to form its delta, northwest of Marseille. Because the Camargue is administratively part of Arles, the commune as a whole is the largest commune in Metropolitan France in terms of territory, although its population is only slightly more than 50,000. Its area is 758.93 km², which is more than seven times the area of Paris.

Arles, France is a city of ancient Roman times where important remains are still around. Already important in the days of the Ligurian tribes, the ancient city of Arles became a leading city of the Western Roman Empire. St. Trophime in the 1st century ad founded the bishopric, which endured until 1790. Roman Arelate was a city of considerable importance in the province of Gallia Narbonensis. It covered an area of some 99 acres (400,000 m²) and possessed a wide array of monuments, including an amphitheatre, triumphal arch, Roman circus, theatre and a full circuit of walls.

Houses are arranged in the line of city of Arles in France, Europe separated by narrow pedestrian streets. Overlooking the city of Arlesthe from a tower in Les Arenes in France, you see norrow passageway between buildings. City of Arles and Rhone River seen from a tower in Les Arenes, a Bullfighting arena, Bouches du Rhone, Provence, France, Europe.

Arles, France remained economically important for years as the Rhone was a major port of the city. The famous painter Vincent van Gogh created a majority of his artwork in Arles, France until his mental health deteriorated and his masterpieces became far too strange.

Arles has important remains of Roman times, which have been listed as World Heritage Sites since 1981. They include: the Roman theater, the arena or amphitheater, the Alyscamps, the Thermae of Constantine, and the cryptoporticus. In addition, the Church of St. Trophime, formerly a cathedral, is a major work of Romanesque architecture.