L’Hotel Particulier

The Roquette district of the ancient town of Arles in Provence.

L’Hôtel Particulier’s rooms and suites reflect the opulence of the house’s exterior, with classical décor which is extravagant but tasteful, and is updated with modern, stylish touches. Rooms in the main house are often vast, with high ceilings and airy interiors; those in the outbuildings are more rustic but no less luxurious, with lantern-lit steps, wood ceilings and exposed lintels.

The hotel serves breakfast, which is a simple but lovingly prepared affair of freshly-baked croissants and pains au chocolat, fresh coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice. For the rest of your gastronomic needs, Arles is a treasure trove for food lovers. L’Atelier has earned two Michelin stars for its tasting menus, which pair either seven or thirteen mini masterpieces, often sourced from the chef’s own organic veggie patch, with some of the region’s most exquisite wines. For a heartier feed, head to Hostellerie du Pont de Gau, which serves up local delicacies such as petite bouillabaisse and bull steaks.

Arles’ history dates back to Roman times, and the city is home to a wealth of ancient treasures and attractions. The amphitheatre remains impressively intact after 1600 years, and remains an important part of the cultural life of the town: it still plays host to fierce férias and bloody bullfights. Similarly, the Roman theatre is still in use, home to music, dance and theatrical performances throughout the summer. Arles’ Saturday market is one of the best in Europe, and represents all corners of the Mediterranean: delicious French, Greek and Spanish food is on offer, along with locally produced meat, cheese and wine. High quality ceramics and textiles are also on offer. While both of the houses in which Van Gogh lived during his time in Arles have sadly been destroyed, walking tours are available which take in places relevant to the artist and his work.