Place de la Republique (Republic Square), Arles

Republic Square serves as the city’s elegant and historic centerpiece. Paved with cobblestones and framed by impressive architecture, the square beautifully reflects Arles’s layered past.

At its center rises the Arles Obelisk, a 4th-century Roman obelisk that once adorned the ancient circus, rediscovered in the 17th century and erected here in 1676 to celebrate the city’s classical heritage. Around it stand several of Arles’s most remarkable landmarks: the Town Hall, built in the 17th century with a harmonious façade exemplifying Provençal classicism, and the Church of Saint Trophime, a Romanesque masterpiece famed for its sculpted portal depicting the Last Judgment and for being a key stop along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.

Republic Square is not only a historic setting but also a vibrant part of daily life in Arles — a gathering place for residents, a venue for open-air markets, and a stage for local festivals beneath the Provençal sun. Visitors can enjoy the lively atmosphere from the surrounding cafés or admire the square as it glows in warm, golden tones. The golden hues of the architecture framing the square contribute to the election of the „Queen of Arles”. Every few years, a young woman is chosen to represent the traditions and customs of the region, all under the applause of crowds gathered in the Republic Square.