A Travel Price Comparison for France Beaune vs. Arles for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Beaune or Arles?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Beaune and Arles. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Beaune

Beaune is a vineyard-filled, cultural, and historic town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a compact, quaint, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Beaune and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beaune or Arles?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Beaune. Although Beaune and Arles are both popular with visitors, Beaune has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Beaune is more popular for its food and small town charm, while Arles is known for its museums and impressive beauty. Beaune is more touristy than Arles and is known for its surrounding vineyards and world-renowned wines. It is also home to The Surrounding Vineyards. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Beaune different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arles and Beaune. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Beaune or Arles?

Arles is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Arles are among the most recognizable in the world. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Beaune offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Top sights and museums around town include Hôtel-Dieu (a former hospital), Château de Savigny, and Château de la Rochepot.

Is the Food Better in Beaune or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Beaune is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Beaune has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The restaurant scene is made up of small, narrow, local bistros that serve local dishes with regional ingredients. Many of the menus are focused on wine with the dishes designed specifically to compliment the wines. This is a tourist town, and you'll find many visitors come specifically to enjoy the French cuisine.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Beaune or Arles Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beaune or Arles has a better nightlife scene.

Beaune has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find bars and pubs as well as many places to sip French wine and enjoy the evening.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Beaune or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the first-rate old town areas in both Beaune and Arles.

Beaune has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The old town is walled and compact. It is centered around the medieval hospital complex and it is filled with cobblestone streets and shops.

The old town of Arles is one of the most recognized in the world. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Is the Shopping Better in Beaune or Arles?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Arles and Beaune.

Beaune offers some nice shopping areas. Boutiques, wine shops, and independent vendors are fun to explore in town.

Arles has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Beaune or Arles Better for Families?

Beaune is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Beaune. The town has museums like Hospices de Beaune, Hotel-Dieu (a formal hospital), as well as vineyards that you can hike through. Many people enjoy taking a hot air balloon ride while they're in the region.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Beaune or Arles Better for Couples?

Beaune is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Beaune has plenty to offer. Couples will enjoy exploring vineyards, sipping French wine, and wandering through the charming old town. There are breathtaking hot air balloon rides and wonderful French restaurants that make for a romantic trip.

Arles is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Beaune or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Beaune and Arles.

You'll find some public transit in Beaune, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While you can walk around the historic center, it's possible to take a bus if you're traveling further.

While Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Beaune or Arles a more walkable city?

Beaune is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Beaune on foot is easy. It's a walkable town that's perfect for taking a stroll.

Arles is very walkable. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Beaune Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Beaune?

How long in Beaune or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Beaune or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Beaune than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Beaune, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

Families should spend more time in Beaune than Arles. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Beaune, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Beaune than Arles. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Beaune that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Beaune than Arles if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Beaune.

One day in Beaune or Arles?

In Beaune, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Beaune or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beaune. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Arles is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Beaune or Arles?

Beaune is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Beaune. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Beaune or Arles?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Beaune. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Arles. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in France, and The Best Luxury Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beaune and Arles, we can see that Beaune is more expensive. And not only is Arles much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Arles would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arles and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Beaune would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beaune than you might in Arles.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beaune Expensive? and Is Arles Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Beaune or Arles?

Arles has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Beaune. When comparing the sizes of Beaune and Arles, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Beaune or Arles?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Beaune or Arles in the Summer?

Both Arles and Beaune are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Beaune for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Arles in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Beaune is cooler than Arles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beaune in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Arles averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beaune. Beaune usually receives less sunshine than Arles during summer. Beaune gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Beaune usually receives more rain than Arles. Beaune gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beaune or Arles in the Autumn?

Both Arles and Beaune during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Beaune in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, most visitors come to Arles for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Beaune is generally cooler than Arles. Daily temperatures in Beaune average around 13°C (55°F), and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Beaune often gets less sunshine than Arles. Beaune gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun.

Arles gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Beaune usually gets less rain in October than Arles. Beaune gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beaune or Arles in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Beaune and Arles. Most visitors come to Beaune for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Arles because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Beaune can be very cold during winter. Beaune is much colder than Arles in the winter. The daily temperature in Beaune averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Beaune usually receives less sunshine than Arles during winter. Beaune gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Beaune usually receives less rain than Arles. Beaune gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beaune or Arles in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Beaune as well as Arles. The spring months attract visitors to Beaune because of the small town charm. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

In the spring, Beaune is cooler than Arles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beaune in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Arles averages at about 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. In the spring, Beaune often gets less sunshine than Arles. Beaune gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun.

Beaune usually gets less rain in April than Arles. Beaune gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Arles and Beaune