Arles Amphitheatre

The Arles Amphitheatre is a large Roman amphitheatre in Arles, southern France, constructed in the 1st century CE. It was one of the major public entertainment buildings of Roman Gaul and remains a focal point of the town’s Roman heritage.

The two-storey elliptical outer walls measuring roughly 136 by 107 metres enclose an arena area and tiers that once held tens of thousands of spectators. Visitors walk the internal corridors, climb the outer ring for views over Arles, and view the amphitheatre’s structure and reused medieval elements.

Many come to see the blend of Roman engineering and later re-use: the interior was converted into a fortified settlement and housed buildings during the Middle Ages, traces of which are still visible. The amphitheatre is also used for occasional cultural events and local spectacles.

Built in the 1st century CE during Roman rule, the amphitheatre hosted gladiatorial games and public spectacles. In the medieval period its interior was adapted into a fortified area with housing; later restoration in the 19th and 20th centuries exposed and conserved much of the Roman fabric.

Sited in the historic centre of Arles in Provence, the amphitheatre stands within easy walking distance of other Roman monuments and the Rhône river front.

• Capacity and date: Constructed in the 1st century CE and capable of holding roughly 20,000 spectators in Roman times, it remains a dominant landmark in Arles' historic centre.

What to See #

• Outer ellipse and arena: The amphitheatre's outer ellipse measures approximately 136 by 107 metres, enclosing an arena that was used for spectacles in Roman times.
• Medieval adaptations: During the medieval period the interior was adapted into a fortified settlement; traces of later houses and defensive structures remain within the amphitheatre's rings.