Combine ancient Rome with French culture and a psychotic Dutch artist, and you get the eccentric historical cocktail that is Arles. Every street in this town seems to end in a Roman ruin, a cafe that inspired a Van Gogh painting, or both. This historical legacy has transformed Arles into a hotspot for busloads of French tourists. If you can stand the crowds, the old city does have its classical charm, not to mention its Roman ruins; bullfights are still held in the town’s ancient amphitheater. Arles is the destination for those who want to experience a Provencal small town without actually having to stand the slower pace of neighboring areas. Local tortured artists and musicians cultivate a small but active bar and concert scene here; the hype peaks around July during the local photography festival.