🇫🇷 Arles, France
Gîte du mas Ballot
📍 26, Route de Fontvieille, Arles, 13280
Your stay — Gîte du mas Ballot
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Arles.
The Property — Gîte du mas Ballot
This is a working farm gîte set among orchards a few miles north of Arles. The lobby is a simple tiled room with a stack of local maps and the smell of sun-warmed stone. It suits travellers who want a quiet rural base, not boutique luxury. The rooms are clean and unpretentious, with views of fields rather than town squares.
Chronicles of Arles
Arles was founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC and later became a key Roman port, leaving a dense layer of amphitheatres and forums that are now UNESCO World Heritage. Its medieval fabric grew around the St-Trophime cloister, but the 19th-century arrival of Van Gogh put it on the cultural map. Today it blends Roman ruins, Provençal markets and a lively photography festival scene.
Best Time to Visit
Full Arles guide →Best months
April to June for warm days and fields of flowers, plus September for harvest colours and fewer tourists.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak, driven by the Rencontres d'Arles photography festival and Provence's summer heat. Hotel prices double and rooms vanish weeks ahead. The festival opening week (early July) is the busiest.
Budget shoulder season
October to early November and March are budget-friendly: temperatures are 12–18°C, flights and rooms drop 30–40%, and you can walk the Roman arena without queues.
Weather & packing
The Mistral wind can whip through Arles any day of the year, even in July. Pack a lightweight windproof jacket – you'll need it for evenings on the terrace.
Live City Briefing — Arles
- The Rencontres d'Arles photography festival runs 7 July to 22 September 2026; expect heavy traffic and packed restaurants near the city centre.
- Arles train station is undergoing platform works until late summer 2026 – check SNCF for last-minute platform changes.
- A new pedestrian zone on Rue de la République is being trialled from June 2026, cutting off car access to the main shopping street.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Gîte du mas Ballot, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the top floor (2nd floor) for a quieter experience. The hotel has a lift, but it's not as frequent as you'd like, and it's located near the service entrance which can be a bit noisy. The top floor rooms are also farther away from the main road, Route de Fontvieille, which can get some traffic noise. Plus, the views from the top floor are likely to be more pleasant, overlooking the surrounding countryside.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the service entrance or the lift. This area can get a bit noisy from the service staff and deliveries. Additionally, the rooms on the ground floor might have a view of the adjacent parking lot or the surrounding buildings, which might not be as pleasant.
Best views
Rooms on the top floor (2nd floor) are likely to have views of the surrounding countryside.
Quietest floors
1st-2nd floors
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is located on a main road, Route de Fontvieille, so expect some traffic noise. The service entrance and lift can also generate some noise, especially during peak hours.
Insider tips
1. If you're driving, be aware that parking is limited, so arrive early to secure a spot. 2. Request a room with a view, as it can make a big difference in your stay. The countryside views from the top floor are particularly lovely.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Gîte du mas Ballot
free, 100 Mbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors, but historic section has stairs-only access
complimentary PressReader access on in-room tablets, no physical papers
15:00-19:00; early bag-drop from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 (€50 fee)
available at reception for €5 per day
step-free access, wheelchair-accessible rooms available on request; historic building has some structural limitations
on-site parking available (€15 per night), nearest public car park at 500m (€10 per day); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.65 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: €200 advance deposit + €100 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Église Saint-Genest (889 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Aire de Jeux — 894 m · ~11 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Crédit Agricole — 853 m · ~11 min walk
Pharmacie Jauffret — 912 m · ~11 min walk
Utile — 822 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Travellers can exchange currency at the Tourist Office or banks, but be aware that airport bureaux de change have poor exchange rates. Always use ATMs or credit cards for better rates.
Most cafes and restaurants accept credit cards, especially Visa and Mastercard, but some small shops may only accept cash. Mobile pay is also widely accepted.
Tipping is not mandatory, but rounding up the bill or leaving €5-10 for good service is appreciated. Hotel staff and taxi drivers do not expect tips, but a smile and 'merci' goes a long way.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cup of coffee can be found for €1.50-2 at a local café.
A budget-friendly option for lunch is a baguette with cheese and ham from a bakery or supermarket for €5-6.
A hearty dinner at a bistro or restaurant can cost around €15-20 for a main course.
The streets around the Place du Forum and Rue de la République are great for cheap eats, with vendors offering crepes and snacks.
Carrefour and Lidl are the most common budget supermarkets in the area.
For affordable shopping, head to the markets on Saturdays or to the streets around the Rue de la République.
A day pass for public transport costs €7.50, and a budget-friendly way to get to the airport is by taking bus 54 from the city centre for €1.50.
Buy a carnet of 10 tickets for public transport to save money, use the free public Wi-Fi at the Tourist Office, and consider visiting local markets for fresh produce and souvenirs.
Good to know — Arles
Type C/E · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Arles, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Gîte du mas Ballot
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Crédit Agricole — 853 m · ~11 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie Jauffret — 912 m · ~11 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Arles city centre (Place Lamartine) → Mas du Prieur (stop: Mas du Prieur)
💡 Tickets from the driver or Envia app. Bus 1 runs along Route de Crau; the stop is literally outside the hotel. Avoid Sundays when service is reduced.
Marseille Provence Airport → Arles city centre
💡 Buy tickets at the airport kiosk—cheaper than online. The bus drops you at Place Lamartine; from there, it's a 15-minute walk or quick cab to Mas du Prieur.
Avignon TGV station → Arles train station
💡 If flying into Paris, take a TGV direct to Avignon TGV (2h40), then connect. From Arles station, Mas du Prieur is a 10-minute taxi ride (€12–15).
Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) → Mas du Prieur, Arles
💡 Book ahead with a local company like Taxi Arles for a fixed rate; avoid airport touts. The drive via A54 is straightforward.
About Arles
Wikipedia ↗
Arles (French: [aʁl]; Provençal: Arle [ˈaʀle]) is a coastal city and commune in southern France, a subprefecture in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, in the former province of Provence. A large part of the Camargue, the largest wetlands in France, is located w...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Gîte du mas Ballot?
Request rooms on the top floor (2nd floor) for a quieter experience. The hotel has a lift, but it's not as frequent as you'd like, and it's located near the service entrance which can be a bit noisy. The top floor rooms are also farther away from the main road, Route de Fontvieille, which can get some traffic noise. Plus, the views from the top floor are likely to be more pleasant, overlooking the surrounding countryside.
Which rooms should I avoid at Gîte du mas Ballot?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the service entrance or the lift. This area can get a bit noisy from the service staff and deliveries. Additionally, the rooms on the ground floor might have a view of the adjacent parking lot or the surrounding buildings, which might not be as pleasant.
Is Gîte du mas Ballot noisy?
The hotel is located on a main road, Route de Fontvieille, so expect some traffic noise. The service entrance and lift can also generate some noise, especially during peak hours.
Which rooms have the best views at Gîte du mas Ballot?
Rooms on the top floor (2nd floor) are likely to have views of the surrounding countryside.
What are insider tips for staying at Gîte du mas Ballot?
1. If you're driving, be aware that parking is limited, so arrive early to secure a spot. 2. Request a room with a view, as it can make a big difference in your stay. The countryside views from the top floor are particularly lovely.
What time is check-in at Gîte du mas Ballot?
Check-in at Gîte du mas Ballot is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Gîte du mas Ballot have Wi-Fi?
free, 100 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Gîte du mas Ballot?
€1.65 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Gîte du mas Ballot?
A budget-friendly option for lunch is a baguette with cheese and ham from a bakery or supermarket for €5-6.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Gîte du mas Ballot?
A day pass for public transport costs €7.50, and a budget-friendly way to get to the airport is by taking bus 54 from the city centre for €1.50.
When is the best time to visit Arles?
April to June for warm days and fields of flowers, plus September for harvest colours and fewer tourists.
Top Attractions in Arles
💡 Sit at Café Van Gogh (Le Café la Nuit) – it’s the one from his painting, but prices are high for drinks. For a cheaper coffee, try Bar de la Rue behind it.
💡 Open 24/7, but best at sunset. Bring water – no shade late afternoon. Few tourists know about it.
💡 Buy a combined ticket with the Théâtre Antique for €12, valid 2 days. Go early morning to avoid crowds and heat.
💡 Free to view from the rue de la Calade steps outside. If entering, the best spot is the top row of seats for a city view.
💡 Visit late afternoon for cool shade and good light for photos. Combined with the Musée de l’Arles et de la Provence antiques for €6 total.