Day Trip: Arles

  Arles, home to Vincent Van Gogh during the most prolific 15 months of his life, lies on the edge of the Camargue and well worth a visit even in the heat of the summer. A 21,000-seat arena in the heart of the Arles is one of the oldest amphitheatres of the Roman world. Still in use today, there are bullfights every Wednesday and Saturday in October, the climax of an 8-month bull running-season. When the arena is empty,  you can climb the stone steps to the top for a fantastic view of the Rhone.  Note: The arena was scheduled to be fully encased with scaffolding during 2005 for renovation. Don’t miss the café on the place du Forum, one of the many sites in Arles where Van Gogh painted. The Sanatorium, where Van Gogh was treated in 1889, has been turned into a cultural centre devoted to the artist. Don’t expect to find any Van Goghs, but the gardens are preserved exactly as he painted them. Travel time by car: 90 minutes each way. For a detailed bullfighting schedule, see www.arles.com