Museon Arlaten

About the museum

The Museon Arlaten, whose name means “museum of Arles” in Provençal, was founded in 1896 by the writer Frédéric Mistral together with Dr. Émile Marignan. It opened in 1899, and its collections were entrusted to the Bouches-du-Rhône département. In 1904, thanks to the Nobel Prize in Literature he had received, Mistral installed it in the Hôtel de Laval-Castellane, the former Jesuit college of Arles; the new museum was inaugurated in 1909.

After Mistral's death in 1914, a committee continued to run the museum. In the 1930s, Fernand Benoit became its curator. In 1999, the museum became a département museum.

A major renovation was decided in 2006. The museum closed in October 2009 for works funded by the département and reopened on May 19, 2021 with a new display that nonetheless preserves the spirit of the former museum, with its dioramas, costumes and the Tarasque.

The permanent display is organized in five sections, from the origins of the museum to Provence today. The collections include Provençal costumes from the 18th to the 20th century, objects from rural trades, evidence of rites and legends, and life-size dioramas.

Highlights

• Provençal costumes and the costume of Arles
• The Tarasque, legendary monster of Provence, with touch-activated display
• Life-size dioramas
• Permanent display in five sections, from the museum's origins to today
• Audio guide app in several languages, including Provençal
• Tactile trail with ten touch stations

Founded

1896

Operated by

Département des Bouches-du-Rhône

Visitors per year

approx. 62,436

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of every month

Admission is also free for job seekers, recipients of the RSA and the minimum old-age allowance, teachers with the Pass Éducation, journalists, members of Icom and Icomos, licensed tour guides, and people wearing the Arles costume. The Pass Monuments arlésiens (Avantage: €19; Liberté: €15) are sold at the museum ticket desk.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

All areas of the museum, including the Jesuit chapel, are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility thanks to ramps and a lift. Wheelchairs and seat canes are lent. An induction loop is available for visitors with hearing aids. A tactile trail with ten stations and an audio-described version of the route are offered. The museum holds the “Tourisme et Handicap” label.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area: not available

Family tours and workshops, the “Muséojeux” games bag lent at the reception desk, family rate, children's podcasts. On-screen games along the route, step stools to borrow at the desk so children can see the displays, seats in the interpretation areas. Strollers are permitted, as the museum is fully accessible. Changing table on the third floor.

Getting there & parking

Arles station is a 16-minute walk from the museum (8 minutes by car, 7 minutes by bike).

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi. Free lockers are available; items must be collected the same day. Drink and snack vending machines, relaxation areas in the inner courtyard, museum shop. Large bags and luggage are not recommended.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit