Hotel Voltaire

The Hôtel Voltaire enjoys a wonderful location beneath the grand plane trees of Place Voltaire, just a few minutes’ walk from the arena. This small, modernist hotel, dating from the 1950s, has just twelve rooms, and it is precisely this architecture that gives it its distinctive character. Fortunately, the renovation did not attempt to turn it into a typical Provençal boutique hotel. Instead, the rooms are characterised by clean lines, natural materials, warm Mediterranean colours and individual pieces of furniture with a distinct 1950s influence. This is complemented by contemporary art by Arles-based artists such as Arsène Welkin and Grégoire Albon. Every room has its own balcony – a real bonus in the heart of the city – and some even look out towards the Arena. The smaller Cabin Rooms are compact, whilst the Superior Rooms are more spacious; throughout, great importance has been placed on good beds and tranquillity. On the ground floor, the Cantine du Voltaire forms part of the hotel and makes it appealing even to locals from Arles. In the mornings, breakfast and good coffee are served on the terrace beneath the plane trees; later in the day, there are Mediterranean dishes to share, mezze, pizzette, natural wine and local beer. An unpretentious, very contemporary spot that suits Arles well: small, urban, design-conscious and yet pleasantly laid-back.