Arles Arena: A Roman Amphitheater in France

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.arenes-arles.com

Country: France

Civilization: Roman

Remains: Entertainment

History

The Arles Arena, located in Arles, France, was built by the Romans around 80 to 90 AD during the reign of Emperor Domitian. It was part of the Flavian dynasty’s efforts to expand and Romanize the city. The amphitheater hosted large public events such as gladiatorial contests, reflecting the integration of Roman culture in the region from the late first century through the mid-third century.

The arena continued to serve as a venue for public spectacles throughout the late Roman Empire. In 255 AD, Emperor Gallus organized games there to celebrate military victories. During the early fourth century, Emperor Constantine held hunts and combat events within the arena. Later, Emperor Majorian also staged spectacles at the site. Historical accounts mention that King Childebert of Paris witnessed renewed games in 539 AD, indicating the arena’s continued use even after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

After this period, the structure was transformed into a fortified urban bastide. Defensive towers were added, and the interior was divided into over 200 homes and two chapels, adapting the space to the needs of a more insecure era.

During the late medieval period, the arena housed impoverished residents living within its arcades and on the arena floor. This state of decay was noted by the traveler Jérôme Münzer in 1495. King François I expressed his disapproval of the arena’s dilapidated residential condition during his visit in 1516.

Starting in the late eighteenth century, the residential buildings inside the arena were gradually expropriated. This process was completed in 1825 under the leadership of Mayor Baron de Chartrouse. The arena returned to its original function as a venue for public festivities in 1830, hosting bullfighting events to commemorate the capture of Algiers.

The final houses attached to the amphitheater were demolished in 1840 following a decision by the Archaeological Commission. That same year, the monument was officially classified as a historic monument, thanks in part to the efforts of Prosper Mérimée. In 1981, the Arles Arena was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognizing its cultural and historical importance.

Extensive restoration campaigns have taken place, including a major project completed in 2013 under architect Alain-Charles Perrot. This decade-long effort was funded with nearly 25 million euros as part of a regional heritage plan. The arena now hosts cultural events that recall its ancient uses.

Remains

The Arles Arena is an elliptical Roman amphitheater measuring 136 meters in length. It features 60 arches arranged on two levels, with a circular gallery on each level providing access to seating through staircases and vertical passages. The uppermost section, known as the attica, which once crowned the structure, has been lost over time. It could host 20,000

Constructed primarily of stone, the arena was built on the Hauture hill, requiring the removal of earlier Augustan city walls. Its design follows classical Roman amphitheater principles inspired by the Colosseum in Rome, including multiple corridors to facilitate crowd movement and evacuation.

During the medieval period, the arena was converted into a fortified bastide. Four defensive towers were added to the structure, and the interior was subdivided into more than 200 residences and two chapels. This adaptation integrated the ancient monument into the urban fabric as a defensive complex.

Today, the main body of the amphitheater remains intact, although some architectural details and the attica have disappeared. Restoration efforts have included detailed archaeological surveys such as photogrammetry and stone-by-stone recording. A reference bay, known as travée 45, was restored first to set conservation standards.

The arena’s prominent position on a hill and its replacement of earlier city fortifications highlight its importance in the urban landscape of Arles. The structure stands as a well-preserved example of Roman amphitheater architecture, reflecting its long history of use and adaptation.