Cryptoportiques d'Arles — Attraction in Arles

If roman architecture is your thing don't miss it. A little note, there are only three descriptions panels on site, mostly in French, so an advise could be to read on the subject before going down to enjoy the herculean works. The visit consist of ambling in a massive underground structure, (in terms of volume of stones moved and carved with precision), to level the slope of the hill, so it could hold the constructions that came above, i.e the forum, the government official buildings and temples (all of which have disappeared, (except for 2 columns left in an adjacent building). A good place to ponder and reflect on the Roman power and architectural mastery. They made things to last for centuries, as if they were building eternity 😅. You can visit the place in a few minutes or take your time to enjoy their ingenuity...

With very warm and friendly reception staff, this place, so cool in the summer heat, is a must for any Ancient Rome aficionado. I loved it, though with almost non-existent signage, no back story illuminated in any meaningful way to a lay visitor, I can understand people questioning the €4.50 entry fee to see, in parts, "damp cellar" dripping water. An opportunity gone begging, one could say, but still worth the visit due to its condition (for me, even better than Nero's cement cryptoporticus in Rome) and one can always google...

It’s quite dark and there was limited information explaining the place. We got there at their opening time at 9:00 and walked all the way to the end. By then, my wife and girl were a bit freaked out since we were the only people there. Adding to the creepiness was the art installation, in which a white long dress hangs in midair (you get the idea 😂). They were not thrilled at all when they found out we had to walk all the way back to the entrance and they couldn’t...