Church of St. Trophime

Built in the 12th century, it is built on the site of an original 5th century basilica, called "Saint-Étienne"; a Gothic choir was added in the 15th century. Throughout its history, it has been the setting for several events, such as councils during the 5th century or the coronation of the Germanic Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa by the Archbishop of Arles, Raimon de Bollène. Thanks to Prosper Mérimée, then second Inspector General of Historical Monuments, it was classified as a historic monument by the 18405 list. It is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the Roman and Romanesque monuments of Arles since 1981.

About this building

Key Features

  • Architecture
  • Stained glass
  • Monuments
  • Interior features
  • Atmosphere / quiet space
  • Social heritage
  • Famous people or stories

Visitors information

  • Bus stop within 100m
  • Parking within 250m

Other nearby buildings

© Xavier Caré / Wikimedia Commons

Église Saint-Julien

The church of Saint-Julien d'Arles is an ancient 11th-century church, then called Saint-Antoine, and rebuilt in 1622 in the classical and late Gothic style. Plundered during the Revolution, the church suffered even more during the Allied bombings of August 1944 which left it practically in ruins. Now restored, it is now closed to worship but is used as a venue for shows, concerts and exhibitions which are frequently held there.

Wikimedia Commons/Gzen92

Église Sainte Blaise

The church of Sainte Blaise is a former conventual chapel of the abbey of Saint-Césaire, founded in the 6th century by the bishop of the same name. It was built mainly in three stages, starting in the 12th century, but has nevertheless revealed older remains. Disused during the French Revolution, it was used for various purposes before being excavated in 1972 and 1982.

Wikimedia Commons/Mbzt

Church of Notre-Dame-la-Major

The church of Notre-Dame-la-Major is a Romanesque-Gothic church originally consecrated in 452, during the third Council of Arles, by Archbishop Ravennius, as attested by the inscription engraved on the façade of the chapel of Saint-Martin, which disappeared in 1592 during its renovation. The replacement of this first church on the same site by a Provençal Romanesque building, of which the three bays of the nave remain, began in 1152. In the 16th century, the choir and its apse were completely rebuilt. In 1579, the bell tower was rebuilt in its present form.