The art world is buzzing about a new hot spot in the South of France. With world-class art exhibitions, chic new restaurants, gorgeous hotels and ancient Roman ruins that defy all trends, Arles is the French city you need to know about.
Private Jet Charter to Arles: The South of France’s Hidden Treasure
The art world is buzzing about a new hot spot in the South of France. With world-class art exhibitions, chic new restaurants, gorgeous hotels and ancient Roman ruins that defy all trends, Arles is the French city you need to know about.
For centuries, Arles has been a haven for artists including Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso. Despite this enviable association, the city has held onto its languid charm, never becoming quite as developed as its more visited neighbors, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence. Now, however, Arles is in the midst of a cultural revival. L’Officiel recently dubbed it “the 21st Parisian arrondissement” and in recent months jet-setters from photographer Peter Lindbergh to French “It girl” Jeanne Damas have been spotted strolling its cobbled streets.
With world-class art exhibitions, buzzy new restaurants, luxury hotels and ancient Roman ruins, Arles is the latest must-visit French city. We’ve assembled a guide outlining everything you need to know and how to get there by private jet charter.
How to get to Arles
The closest commercial airport to Arles is Marseille Provence Airport, located an hour to the east. Travelers hoping to avoid the long drive and crowded hub would do better to book a private jet charter to the South of France. With Air Charter Service you can fly straight to Nîmes-Arles-Camargue, a private airport just 20 minutes from the heart of Arles, where we’ll have a driver waiting to whisk you away the moment you land. Charter flights directly from London to Nîmes-Arles-Camargue Airport in a Hawker Beechcraft Premier I for just $13,600.
Those looking to include Arles in a wider itinerary could book a private jet to Paris followed by a charter to the South of France. Londoners can travel to Paris in a Citation CJ2 for approximately $11,800, while New Yorkers can book charter flights from Teterboro to Paris Le Bourget for approximately $49,000.
Take a look through our aircraft guide to find the plane that best suits you and your party. Or contact us and a specialist will help you select the ideal aircraft and provide you with a personalized private jet rental quote.
What’s happening in Arles
One of the most famous residents in Arles’ history is Vincent van Gogh, who lived in the city from 1888-1889. During this very productive period in his career, he created nearly 300 works, including Starry Night Over the Rhône. The Fondation Vincent Van Gogh opened in 2014 to honor Van Gogh’s work and his impact on the art world today. This fall, the museum will host a collective exhibition called “The Simple Life – Simply Life”, bringing together the works of contemporary and historical artists.
The newest cultural hub sweeping Arles is LUMA Arles, a center for the arts conceptualized by art collector and patron Maja Hoffmann. LUMA has revived an out-of-use rail yard, repurposing its industrial workshops into exhibition spaces and studios. In addition to the workshops, LUMA features a showpiece Frank Gehry-designed tower that rises above the city in an echo of the region’s unique rock formations.
A groundbreaking exhibition of Jean Prouvé, the French architect and furniture designer, is set to open this October, showcasing the largest collection of his work ever assembled in one location.
And as the stylish Parisians come, so do the trendy restaurants. Chardon features a pop-up rotation of the hottest chefs and bartenders from around France, while another top choice is the Michelin-starred La Chassagnette by Armand Arnal, who trained under Alain Ducasse. Fresh from a residency at the beloved Merci in Paris, the chef is a current favourite among gourmets.
Where to stay
One of the best hotels in Arles is the five-star Hotel Jules César, housed in a 17th-century convent renovated by Arles native Christian Lacroix. Or, if you prefer boutique hotels, the 16-room Particulier gives guests a true taste of Provençal high society, located in a mansion that once housed the Mayor of Arles.
Those looking to experience the country life are sure to be charmed by Le Mas de Peint, a five-star hotel set in a 17th-century farmhouse in the heart of a marshy region called the Camargue. Here cowboys reign, horses roam and flamingos graze. It’s easy to forget you’re in France with these landscapes, yet Arles is just a 25-minute drive away.
To hobnob with the artists and Bohemians of Arles, let us help you arrange a private jet rental to Nîmes-Arles-Camargue Airport, just minutes from the city.