Roman Theatre of Arles

Excellent place to connect with the ancient culture of Arles, the Roman theatre of Arles. The video is enlightening, and then it is interesting to wander around the area of ruins at leisure. Recommended! It was covered in the Advantage Pass, which is a great deal!

This is very interesting if you're in Arles, we visited around Mid- June and it was not that busy but definitely active amongst the town. The town itself had a lovely feel to it and it has a lot of history behind it which is so so interesting to delve into. It is definitely worth a stop if you ever find yourself in Arles as there is a walking route with so much information and history behind it. The town itself carries so much meaning behind each monument.

The Roman Theatre of Arles is an ancient site dating back to the 1st century BC, known for its historical value and its role in the city’s Roman heritage. Once a grand structure that hosted performances and public gatherings, today only parts of the original architecture remain, including a few seating rows and fragments of the stage area. From my personal experience, the site is not interested compared to many other historical attractions in Arles. There isn’t much left to see, and the overall visit is quite brief. While the history behind the theatre is undeniably rich, the physical remains are limited, and the space doesn’t offer many engaging features or detailed exhibits. If you’re short on time or prioritizing highlights, this may be one attraction you can skip. Those deeply interested in archaeology or Roman ruins might still appreciate it, but for most visitors, the value may not justify the visit.

If you're interested in Roman architecture, this is a must-visit. I loved that you can walk through every part of the theatre and really feel the history beneath your feet. The stones still carry traces of Roman craftsmanship — it's like stepping back in time. An unforgettable experience for history lovers.

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 worth a visit.

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 stretch far away.”

Great place for a gig or just in general if you're into Roman architecture. Seats do not have cushions or back rest so bring some padding if you intend to be seated for any time.

Right next door to the main amphitheatre you can find this minor Roman Theatre. Entry came as part of a multi pass tourist pass that we purchased for €15 which gives you access to 4 monuments and 2 museums. If found it fascinating to see all the 'spare parts' in the back garden section. It's great that the venue is being used for performances and concerts but the scaffolding and huge lighting towers takes away from the beauty of the place for me. That aside, I would highly recommend you visit.

The Roman theater is build on early first century. It is currently being use for concert and other shows. This theater is not big. Probably seat 2000 people. The compound has some ruin columns. If you go to the back of theater seat, you going hollow round arch room. The theater seat below are not fully solid. Now you can understand how they build with lesser materials. The ruin theater only need 15 minutes visit.

This is a pretty cool historic landmark. It is pretty nicely preserved. You can spend about 20 minutes wandering the theater and the ruins. They provide an information video in French but with English subtitles in the front area so you can learn more about the site that you're seeing. I highly recommend coming to this location to learn more about Roman occupation in Arles.

Ancient Roman theater ruins! If you've seen the ruins in Rome, then this will pale in comparison!