A Travel Price Comparison for France Saint-Etienne vs. Arles for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a park-filled, industrial, and undiscovered city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Arles

Arles is a quaint, historic, and charming town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Arles?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Arles than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Arles, Arles has more sights and attractions for tourists. Arles is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne is known for its hiking. Arles is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh. It is also home to L'Amphithéâtre Romain. Saint-Etienne is popular for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Arles?

Arles is an amazing town to visit for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Arles are world-renowned. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Saint-Etienne or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arles is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Arles has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Arles Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Saint-Etienne and Arles.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Arles. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Saint-Etienne or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is an amazing town to visit for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Arles offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Arles Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is very good for its hiking experiences. However, Arles is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Arles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Arles?

Arles is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Saint-Etienne or Arles Better for Families?

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

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 Saint-Etienne or Arles Better for Couples?

Arles is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

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

Saint-Etienne and Arles both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Arles has a few public transit options. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Arles a more walkable city?

Arles is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint-Etienne or Arles to fill your time. In our opinion, Arles has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Arles than Saint-Etienne. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arles than Saint-Etienne 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 Arles.

One day in Saint-Etienne or Arles?

In Saint-Etienne, many people enjoy the nightlife and museums that this authentic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Arles. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Arles?

Saint-Etienne is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the destination of Saint-Etienne. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the compact destination of Arles. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Arles?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the industrial destination of Saint-Etienne. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful town of Arles. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint-Etienne and Arles, we can see that Arles is more expensive. And not only is Saint-Etienne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint-Etienne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint-Etienne 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 Arles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arles than you might in Saint-Etienne.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Arles?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Arles?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Arles in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Arles. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Arles in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Arles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint-Etienne in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Arles averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint-Etienne this time of the year. In the summer, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Arles. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in July than Arles. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Arles in the Autumn?

Both Arles and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Arles for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Saint-Etienne is generally cooler than Arles. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 14°C (56°F), and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Arles during autumn. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Arles. In October, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Arles. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Arles in the Winter?

Both Arles and Saint-Etienne during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Arles because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Saint-Etienne can be very cold during winter. Saint-Etienne is much colder than Arles in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Arles. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in January than Arles. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Arles in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Arles. The spring months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Arles during spring. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Arles. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and Saint-Etienne