Dog-Friendly Attractions in Arles

The square painted by Van Gogh in his Café Terrace at Night, with the same ochre awning still in place. Plane trees, cafés on three sides and an open paved square in the middle, the easiest stop in Arles with a leashed dog at any time of day. Statue of Frédéric Mistral in the centre and a permanent panel reproducing the Van Gogh canvas at the original viewpoint.

The 1st-century Roman amphitheatre that still hosts the Feria de Pâques bullfights every Easter is the visual icon of Arles. The Arles tourism office is explicit: dogs (other than guide and assistance dogs) are NOT admitted inside the paying monument. The full circuit around the outside is open-air and free, with two arched tiers of arcades looking out over the old town; do this on lead instead.

The cloistered hospital courtyard where Van Gogh was treated after the ear incident in December 1888, restored to match the painting Le jardin de l'hôtel de Dieu d'Arles: a sunken garden of geometric beds, a central fountain and the arched cloister wrapping all four sides. Free admission. The arcade and surrounding paths are public and welcome leashed dogs; the small library on the upper floor does not.