Head to Arles, that meeting point of waterways and land routes, and to the splendid grandeur of the Hotel Jules César. This hostelry will not disappoint. Drive along the Boulevard des Lices and the first impression of the17th century Carmelite convent, now converted into a splendid hotel, is one of white marble, wrought iron balustrades and manicured, fragrant shrubs. This is a Provençal legend and a relief of Julius Caesar looks down on an ancient chapel that is a protected historical site.

Relax in the shady Cloister garden before dressing for dinner and enjoying renowned cuisine in the famous Restaurant Lou Marquès.

You are in the heart of a bustling city and two thousand years of history await on the doorstep!

Walk across the leafy boulevard and you will arrive in the ruins of a 15 AD Roman Theatre. Glance up any street and the huge arches of the largest Roman building ever built in Gaul will loom on the horizon. This gigantic amphitheatre was begun in 46 BC and once seated 26,000 people. It is so well preserved that you may even expect to hear the roars of the erstwhile spectators.

Stroll a little further and you will discover the pleasant, tree-lined Les Alyscamps. Although pillaged, this Roman necropolis, one of the largest cemeteries in the western world, is today still bordered by rows of brooding sarcophagi, standing sentinel along the route to the church of St Honorat.

Leave the Romans buried in their past and head for the Place du Forum where, surrounded by clear light, and near fields of famous sunflowers, you can enjoy an evening drink in a yellow sidewalk café, under a cobalt sky. This is the place of van Gogh and the streets are his canvas.

Very good "classic style hotel" in a perfect location to drive in, park your car, and then tour Arles on foot.

Don't miss the internal garden, beautiful!

Room has a bathroom being added with the renovation, using a portion of the bedroom, which is not too functional but, for a night-stopover it does the job!

We enjoyed staying above our usual class. Lovely room, friendly service. We had the breakfast. Wonderful, and fresh -- best croissants we had the whole trip.

The room was comfortable but would have liked a bigger window (ours was very small and in the corner of the room).The bathroom was huge and nice but the shower didn't work so we took baths instead. The hotel was in a good location. But, a little annoyed b/c website said WIFI available and there was no WIFI in the room (only in the lobby) and we got charged 13 euro for parking per night which we would have appreciated knowing in advance. The courtyard was nice and staff friendly otherwise. The hotel restaurant was high end and was pricey ($30 euro for daily dinner course menu) but good. Was hoping to use this as a base to see and tour Rhone wine region but would not recommend due to toll roads and time it took to get to wineries.