NEWS | Hotel Le Relais de Poste, Arles Centre Historique

Arles in September: experience the Feria du Riz !

Every September, Arles comes alive for the Feria du Riz, a colourful festival where bullfighting traditions and Camargue cuisine come together. Staying at the Hôtel Le Relais de Poste, right in the heart of the historic centre, puts you at the centre of the action.

📍 Not to be missed:

• Camargue horse races and bullfights in the arenas

• Brass bands, dancing and street entertainment for the whole family

• Local specialities: giant paella, gardianne de taureau (beef stew) and Camargue rice

The streets of Arles are decked out in traditional costumes, colourful flags and lively music. Everywhere, locals and visitors share a friendly and festive atmosphere, creating a true moment of collective celebration where Camargue culture is revealed in all its richness.

Between the festive atmosphere, music and local flavours, the Feria du Riz transforms the city into a true living spectacle. And just a few steps away from the festivities, the Hotel Le Relais de Poste welcomes you for a comfortable and memorable stay.

SUMMER BREEZE in Arles: A summer interlude in pictures

This summer, our hotel Le Relais de Poste is delighted to be part of the OFF program of the Rencontres de la Photographie d’Arles, an unmissable event that highlights the richness and diversity of contemporary photographic creation.

As part of this event, we are honored to host the SUMMER BREEZE exhibition, from July 7 to October 27, 2025, organized by Boogie Woogie Photography. We are hosting this exhibition within our hotel, which has been transformed into a living gallery for the occasion. It offers our visitors an immersion in the most vibrant aspects of summer: light, freedom, and memories.

We have been fortunate to welcome several major artists from the international photography scene to our hotel, united by the same artistic vision. Among them are Roger Ballen, a leading figure in contemporary photography; Marjolijn de Groot, whose elegant and introspective works resonate particularly well with the warm atmosphere of our hotel; and Louis Stettner, celebrated this year in Arles for his sensitive view of everyday life. We also have the privilege of exhibiting iconic works by Willy Ronis, master of the poetic and humanist gaze, whose famous Nu Provençal tenderly evokes the sweetness of summer in Provence.

Their images tell stories of summers past and present: intimate moments, sun-drenched scenes, inner journeys. From Woodstock to the Mediterranean, from Hong Kong to the French countryside, each photograph is an invitation to slow down, to feel, to let yourself be carried away.

📍 Free admission every day from noon to 9 p.m.
📸 A great idea for an outing during your stay in Arles, combining culture, relaxation, and inspiration.

Discovering the markets in Arles:

an explosion of colors and flavors

Arles invites you to discover its lively markets, veritable living tableaux where local producers and artisans gather. Staying at the Le Relais de Poste hotel, in the heart of Arles, is to immerse yourself in an authentic experience.

Traditional markets: an immersion in local heritage: Arles is renowned for its markets, which reflect the richness of Provence.

The stalls are overflowing with fresh produce and local specialties:

The Arles Covered Market: Located on the Place du Forum, it offers fruit, vegetables, cheese, and meat from nearby farms.
The Farmers’ Market: Every Wednesday and Saturday, this market becomes a celebration of flavors, with regional products such as olives, honey, and goat cheese.
Specialties not to be missed: Arles is an opportunity to discover local specialties:

Bouillabaisse: A must-try fish dish, available at certain markets and restaurants.
Herbes de Provence: Fragrant and flavorful, they will add an authentic touch to your dishes.
Calisson: A sweet specialty made from almond paste, ideal as a gourmet souvenir.
Your stay at the Hotel Le Relais de Poste: After your explorations, enjoy the comfort of the Hotel Le Relais de Poste, and let us advise you on other gourmet treasures to discover in the city.

Cloître Saint Trophime 

The Cloître Saint-Trophime, built in the 12th century and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an invaluable gem of Romanesque and Provençal architecture.

Located just a five-minute walk from our hotel, this iconic site is a must-visit for all history and art enthusiasts !

The cloister is renowned for its magnificent columns and sculpted capitals, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments, as well as stories deeply rooted in Arlesian culture. As you stroll through this historic site, you will be transported back in time, discovering biblical tales and local legends carved into the stone.

This pearl of Romanesque art also offers access to a rooftop terrace. From there, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Saint-Trophime Church bell tower and the Town Hall, providing a unique perspective to enhance your visit.

Arles : a culinary experience

Arles, with its rich cultural and artistic heritage, also offers an exceptional culinary experience. Whether you’re a fan of traditional Provençal cuisine or in search of new flavors, here are five restaurants not to be missed during your visit to this charming town in the south of France.

La Table de Manou

Located just downstairs from our hotel! The restaurant offers a soothing, intimate atmosphere in the heart of the historic former coaching inn. Inspired by the colors and flavors of Provence, the restaurant menu is full of surprises. Taste local specialties that change with the seasons, with delicious tarts, salads and dishes. The terrace offers a sunny space surrounded by greenery, ideal for relaxing in a typical Provencal atmosphere.

L’épicerie du Cloître

The cuisine here is dynamic, good and simple. Regional products, local wines: a menu that travels with the seasons!

Le Gibolin

Nestled in a picturesque street in Arles, Le Gibolin is a small family-run restaurant renowned for its warm atmosphere and inventive cuisine. The menu changes regularly to highlight seasonal produce, guaranteeing a culinary experience that’s always surprising.

La Charcuterie

If you’re looking for a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, La Charcuterie is the place to be. This bistro offers a selection of simple but delicious dishes, featuring high-quality local produce.

Easter in Arles

Arles celebrates Easter like nowhere else. Every year in April, for 4 days straight, the city comes to life as the bullfighting season begins.

The Easter Feria in Arles is celebrated throughout the streets with equestrian shows and musical entertainments. It is a must to find yourself a spot at the Arena of Arles and experience a bullfight! During the day, be prepared for thrills with an “Encierro” where locals test their courage by running with bulls chasing them in the city’s square. At night, the celebration is still on going with flamenco dances and sangrias.

Don’t miss out Gardiane de Taureau or the Daube camarguaise, a traditional Arlesian bull stew marinated in local red wine served on its well-known locally grown Camargue rice. You can find this unique dish at nearly every local restaurants.

This year the Easter Feria in Arles will be held from April 7-10, 2023. The festival is free and open to all.

Vincent van Gogh

An admirer of art ? Wander the street of Arles in the ambience of Van Gogh. The great artist spent some time in Arles in the 19th century, where he was inspired to paint over hundreds work of art.

Come and explore the footsteps of Van Gogh along the river banks of Rhône, an inspiration for the Starry Night Over the Rhône painting, stop by and enjoy a drink at Le Café Van Gogh that was featured in the piece Café Terrace at Night, and stroll around many other remarkable locations.

From our hotel, you can take a 5 minute walk to visit the Foundation of Vincent van Gogh and appreciate his spectacular creations and legacy.

MONTMAJOUR ABBEY

Be inspired by this abbey founded in 948 by Benedictine monks, just as Van Gogh and Alain Kirili were inspired for their works. Located on the outskirts of Arles, it is a true monument testifying to eight centuries of Provençal history and architecture, as well as the only vestige in Western Europe of pre-Roman architecture. 

Come and discover this incredible Roman structure built on an îlot rocheux that is part of the UNESCO heritage, from which you can admire Arles, Tarascon, the plaine de la Crau et les Alpilles, but not only: the abbey also hosts exhibitions within the framework of the Rencontres de la Photographie d’Arles, shows and concerts. 

The parc des ateliers

In the heart of the Parc des Ateliers, stands the Tour Luma and his fondation, a building whose twisted geometric structure will leave a lasting impression. This cultural center hosts exhibition halls, art galleries, artists’ studios and several research centers.

The surrounding gardens, park and lake are inspired by the landscapes of the Camargue and bring vegetation to the center of the city.

The Parc des Ateliers, located 10 minutes’ walk from our hotel, will open its doors on Saturday, June 26, 2021 and will surely become a major cultural attraction to visit during a stay in Arles.