Arles

Arles stands on the Rhône near its great delta, surrounded by the remains of a distinguished Roman and medieval city. Its amphitheatre and theatre recall the ancient town, while Saint-Trophime and its cloister testify to its later religious importance. Houses came to occupy the old amphitheatre, turning the Roman arena into a fortified quarter. Plague repeatedly threatened Arles. During the outbreak of 1721 the authorities drew on measures used in earlier epidemics, including restrictions on movement and the cleaning of infected houses. In 1735 the town council forbade the repair of ruined houses inside the amphitheatre, beginning a gradual change in the use of the ancient monument.