Theatre Antique d'Arles (Ancient Theater of Arles), Arles (must see)

The Ancient Theater of Arles stands as one of the earliest monumental structures built in the city following its Roman colonization, around the late 1st century BC under Emperor Augustus. Designed to showcase drama, poetry, and public entertainment, the theatre could once welcome more than 8,000 spectators who gathered to enjoy performances celebrating Roman culture and civic unity. Although much of its original grandeur has faded over the centuries, the structure remains an essential reminder of Arles’s role as a thriving provincial center in the Roman Empire.

Like many ancient sites, the theatre suffered significant dismantling during the Middle Ages, when its stones were reused to construct churches and fortifications. Even so, several remarkable features endure, including the remnants of the seating area and the circular orchestra in front of the stage. The latter still bears traces of an altar dedicated to Apollo — adorned with swans, the emblem of Emperor Augustus — which once occupied its center.

However, the most alluring of elements is a pair of elegant marble columns still standing behind the stage — a stunning fragment of what was once a richly decorated stage backdrop. These columns became known as the “Two Widows,” much like two wives awaiting their lost husbands.

Today, the Ancient Theater blends heritage with living culture. From the end of June to the end of August, it hosts the Arles and Costume Festivals, the International Photography Meetings and the Peplum Film Festival. You are more than welcome to enjoy them just like the Romans once did — under the open Provençal sky.