Roman Theatre of Arles — Attraction in Arles

I apprehended the show when friends announced that they booked and paid for the tickets before our arrival to Arles. When we got there the day before, we were bitten by mosquitoes all over our legs hands necks faces you name it! I was terrified at the thought of feeding mosquitoes for 3.5 hours. Also the fact that I attempted to watch The Ten Commandments when I was young and never got through 50%. I feared I would fall asleep after an hour! Our friends anticipated the hard stone seating aka roman theatre and lent us each a cushion to sit on and another for our back to lean on. Very kind gesture. I anticipated with 2 bottles of mosquito spray for everyone. We arrived just before it got dark, chose to sit in the middle and on the highest row. Then we noticed many people came with cushions, blankets, and even a picnic basket. There were mosquito sprays at the entrance for those who needed. The show preluded with the master of ceremony introducing the annual events and also had a quiz on The Ten Commandments creating a hilarious response from the crowd. He sollicited participation from the spectators with questions like how did Egyptian women react when they were happy or when they laughed or when they were heartbroken. He explained how long the screening would take and that a break would be expected to enable the spectators to relieve themselves or to buy drinks and snacks. We expected to fall asleep, much to our surprise we stayed awake watched every minute. The sound and lighting systems were superb the ambiance kept our eyes on the screen all the time. Everyone anticipated the effects on the screen when Moses cut the sea into two!! The show ended past 1 am with a more than happy crowd! I certainly recommend this experience in...

The Roman Theatre of Arles: An Ancient Stage Full of Stories

Tucked away in the heart of Arles, the Roman Theatre is one of the city’s oldest and most atmospheric monuments. Built in the late 1st century BC, during the reign of Emperor Augustus, it once stood as a proud symbol of Roman culture and entertainment. This theater could originally seat around 10,000 spectators, who gathered here to watch comedies, dramas, and musical performances under the open Provençal sky.

Though time and history have worn it down — many of its stones were reused in medieval constructions — what remains still captures the imagination. A few rows of seating, parts of the stage wall, and two towering columns known as the “Columns of Venus” give visitors a glimpse into the grandeur that once was. Standing there, it’s easy to imagine the cheers, laughter, and drama that once filled the air.

Fun facts: • In the Middle Ages, the theater was completely buried and forgotten — it wasn’t rediscovered until the 17th century when locals stumbled upon ancient statues while digging! • One of the most famous finds was the stunning Venus of Arles, a beautiful Roman statue that is now housed in the Louvre in Paris. • Today, the theater still hosts concerts and events, meaning it’s been entertaining audiences for over 2,000 years — talk about a long-running show!

The Roman Theatre of Arles isn’t just an ancient ruin; it’s a beautiful reminder of how deeply Roman culture shaped the city. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a lover of architecture, or simply curious about Arles’ magical atmosphere, this theater is absolutely...

I discovered this place accidentally when I was walking through the park to its south (getting some euros from the post office ATM). Wow so amazing! Hard to believe something like this survives into the 21st Century in such good condition. Love how the Europeans maintain and utilise these sites, incorporating them into Modern Life. The Romans' achievements are mind boggling. This is a very cool place I would love to see a performance here. Unfortunately I have to leave today. It made me think of the Shelley poem Ozymandias

I met a traveller from an antique land,

Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone

Stand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand,

Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,

And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,

Tell that its sculptor well those passions read

Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,

The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;

And on the pedestal, these words appear:

My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;

Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!

Nothing beside remains. Round the decay

Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare

The lone and level sands...