Les Antiques de Glanum, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

Roman Site in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

france St Remy de Provence Les Antiques
france St Remy de Provence Les Antiques

Just south of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Les Antiques de Glanum is an open-air pair of Roman monuments that feels like an unexpected time portal beside the road: a triumphal arch and a beautifully preserved mausoleum standing exactly where the grand entrance to ancient Glanum once began. It is one of the things to see in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence because the craftsmanship is close-up and immediate-you can walk around the carvings, read the proportions, and feel how deliberately Rome used architecture to project power and memory.

This stop also drops neatly into a walking tour of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence if you're following the town's heritage trail out toward Saint-Paul-de-Mausole and the archaeological zone. Even if you only have a short window, Les Antiques gives you a high-impact Roman moment: monumental, photogenic, and surprisingly reflective, especially when the light catches the stone reliefs and the Alpilles foothills frame the background.

History and Significance of the Les Antiques de Glanum

Les Antiques takes its meaning from placement as much as design. These monuments weren’t built to be hidden in a museum context; they were set at the threshold of a town, where movement, arrival, and visibility mattered. In Roman urban planning, an approach like this was theatre-an architectural statement that announced who controlled the region and what kind of civilisation you were entering.

The triumphal arch speaks the language of conquest and civic pride, built to commemorate Roman victories and reinforce authority through carved symbolism. Nearby, the mausoleum shifts the tone from political power to private remembrance, honouring a prominent local family and showing how Roman identity was adopted and displayed in provincial life.

Together, they create a compact but powerful introduction to Glanum’s world: a frontier landscape shaped by trade routes and cultural blending, where Roman aesthetics of balance, harmony, and narrative carving were used to make history permanent in stone.

Things to See and Do in the Les Antiques de Glanum

Begin with the mausoleum, because its sculptural detail rewards slow looking. Walk a full circle and take it in from different distances: from close up you notice the depth and delicacy of the carvings, and from farther back you see how the monument’s clean geometry creates an almost modern sense of calm.

Then move to the arch and look at it the way a traveller would have-approaching from the road line, then standing beneath and beside it to understand scale. The most satisfying visits are the ones where you treat the arch not as a photo backdrop but as a designed “gateway moment,” built to be seen in motion.

Finally, turn this into a mini-route rather than an isolated stop. Les Antiques is at its best when paired with the nearby archaeological site of Glanum and, if you’re following the Van Gogh thread, the monastery across the road, turning a simple roadside viewpoint into a layered half-day of Roman Provence and local cultural history.

How to Get to the Les Antiques de Glanum

The nearest airports are Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) and Avignon-Provence Airport (AVN). For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence on Booking.com. From either, the most straightforward onward plan is to reach Saint-Rémy-de-Provence first, then continue a short distance south toward the Glanum area.

Avignon TGV is the most convenient rail gateway for long-distance arrivals, with frequent services from major French cities. You can use SNCF Connect to check schedules, compare routes, and purchase tickets for National (SNCF ) and regional trains (TER). For a more streamlined experience, we recommend using Omio, which allows you to easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for both National and Regional travel across all of Europe, all in one place. From Avignon, you can reach Saint-Rémy-de-Provence by regional bus and then continue onward by local taxi or on foot if you're making a longer heritage walk.

Local buses can be practical if you're basing yourself in Avignon or Arles, but frequencies vary, so it helps to plan your day around a clear outward-and-return window rather than trying to improvise late in the afternoon. Driving is the simplest option for combining Les Antiques with Glanum, Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, and an Alpilles viewpoint in one smooth loop. If you are looking to rent a car in France I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Les Antiques de Glanum

  • Entrance fee: Free
  • Opening hours: 24 Hours
  • Best time to visit: Early morning and late afternoon are best for softer light on the carvings and fewer people stepping into your photo angles.
  • How long to spend: 20-40 minutes works well for a focused look and photos, or longer if you’re sketching, photographing details, or pairing it with nearby stops.
  • Accessibility: It’s an open-air roadside heritage site, so surfaces can be uneven and the experience involves standing and walking rather than seated viewing.
  • Facilities: There are limited on-site amenities, so plan restrooms, water, and longer breaks around Saint-Rémy-de-Provence or the nearby visitor facilities at Glanum.

Where to Stay Close to the Les Antiques de Glanum

For a culture-heavy itinerary, the best base is central Saint-Rémy-de-Provence so you can walk to museums, markets, and dinner with ease; if your trip is focused on nature walks and early starts in the Alpilles, staying just outside town toward the Glanum side gives you a quieter base with faster access to trails and sites. For a polished, central stay that keeps everything walkable, including the old town's evening atmosphere, choose Hôtel de l’Image. If you want a calm, garden-like feel close to the centre for an easy-paced Provençal stay, Hôtel Sous les Figuiers is a strong option. For spa downtime and a more resort-style rhythm after sightseeing, Le Vallon de Valrugues & Spa works well while still keeping Saint-Rémy close.

Is the Les Antiques de Glanum Worth Visiting?

Yes, because it’s a rare chance to see Roman monumental architecture in a setting that still makes sense: outdoors, at the edge of the ancient town, with the landscape acting as part of the backdrop. The mausoleum and arch are also genuinely rewarding at close range, where the quality of carving and proportion becomes obvious even if you’re not a specialist.

It’s especially worth it if you like building “small but meaningful” stops into your day. Les Antiques gives you a strong Roman hit in under an hour, and it pairs naturally with Glanum and Saint-Paul-de-Mausole to create a compact itinerary with real depth.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.5 (649)

The Antiquities of Glanum, located on Route des Baux de Provence in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, offers impressively preserved Roman monuments a short walk from the old town; visitors praise two standout structures near the car park—the well-presented mausoleum and triumphal arch with sculpted reliefs and close access for viewing—and note informative but weathered signs, on-site parking (paid) and a café that requires an entry ticket, while much of the site is free to view and open daily.

Chris King
2 years ago
"A short walk from the old part of town. Two absolutely stu ing examples of Roman monuments. It is hard to believe how well presented they are. Theyare free to visit, too. A great addition to your visit to Glanum...."
Southwell Cakery
7 years ago
"I stopped off here quickly whilst doing the Van Gogh walk, I didn't have time to look at the main ruins (which I regret). I just had time to take inthe two structures near the carpark. Very interesting, I loved the Bad Relief panels and the close access you could get to these Roman ruins..."
Maurizio Muratore
2 years ago
"It was formerly the entrance to the city of Glanum. The Jules Mausoleum was erected by the Julii (one of the major Roman families), in honour oftheir father and grandfather. It is particularly well preserved. It has a rectangular base with four sculpted fasciae, it is surmounted by a triumphal arch, on top of which ukulele have a small round temple with columns and a pyramidal roof; this temple houses the effigies of the two people to whom this exceptional monument is dedicated. The Triumphal Arch was restored in the 18th century, when its roof was replaced with slate stone. It is adorned with reliefs illustrating Caesar's conquest of the Gauls. However, the fruit and foliage, symbols of abundance, suggest the benefits of pax romana...."

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

For families, Les Antiques works best as a quick, high-impact stop where children can walk around the monuments and spot carved details without needing long attention spans. It’s also a good “history break” between more structured visits, because the open-air format keeps the energy moving.

To keep it smooth, pair it with a simple next step-either the Glanum ruins for a bigger exploration or a park-and-snack moment back in Saint-Rémy. The key is to treat it as a highlight, not a lecture.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, the appeal is the combination of beauty and simplicity: ancient stone, warm Provençal light, and a short walk that feels quietly cinematic. It’s the kind of stop that creates great photos without turning the day into a rushed checklist.

If you want to make it feel more special, come late in the day when the stone looks warmer and the road quiets down a little. From here, it’s easy to roll into a relaxed dinner back in Saint-Rémy with the sense that you’ve seen something genuinely timeless.

Budget Travelers

Budget travellers will appreciate how much visual payoff you get for minimal effort. Les Antiques is ideal when you want a “big sight” moment without committing to a long paid visit or a complex timetable.

Use it as a smart anchor for a low-cost half-day: old-town wandering, this quick Roman stop, then a scenic walk with Alpilles views. It’s one of those itineraries where the atmosphere does the heavy lifting.

History Buffs

History lovers will get the most from thinking about function as well as form: why monuments were placed here, what messages the carvings projected, and how Roman identity was performed in provincial settings. The mausoleum in particular rewards careful, slow viewing, because its narrative and decorative choices are deliberate.

For deeper context, treat Les Antiques as the “prologue” to Glanum rather than a standalone sight. Seeing the entrance monuments first makes the archaeological site feel more coherent, as if you’re arriving the way ancient visitors once did.

FAQs for Visiting the Les Antiques de Glanum

Getting There

They sit just south of the town on the main road by the Glanum area, close to the monastery site and the archaeological zone. It’s a short hop from the historic centre, but it feels like you’ve stepped into a different era.
Walk out of town toward the Glanum direction and follow the main approach route used by visitors heading to the archaeological sites. It’s a straightforward line, and the scenery becomes more “Alpilles edge” as you go.
Start by reaching Saint-Rémy-de-Provence via bus or taxi from your base city. From there, the monuments are easy to reach as part of a short onward trip toward Glanum.
Yes, parking options are typically manageable in the Glanum area, and driving makes it easy to link several nearby highlights in one loop. It’s particularly useful if you want to time your visit for better light or quieter moments.

Tickets & Entry

There’s no museum-style entry sequence here, so it feels like a direct, open-air heritage stop. It’s best approached as a short visit you can slot in flexibly.
Most visits focus on walking around the mausoleum and arch, reading the monuments visually, and taking photos from multiple angles. If you like context, pairing it with Glanum turns it into a more complete Roman narrative.
No booking is needed for a simple stop at the monuments. The only reason to plan ahead is if you’re coordinating it tightly with other time-specific visits nearby.

Visiting Experience

Half an hour is usually enough to see both monuments properly and appreciate the details. If you enjoy photography or carving close-ups, you’ll naturally want longer.
Yes, because it’s a quick way to add a strong “ancient Provence” layer to a day otherwise focused on old-town atmosphere and Alpilles scenery. It also pairs neatly with other nearby stops without extra travel time.
It can still be worthwhile because the monuments are impressive in moody light, but wind and rain make lingering less comfortable. In poor weather, treat it as a shorter visual stop and save longer walks for another day.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Yes, it’s often treated as the obvious add-on when people visit the nearby archaeology and monastery sites. The location makes it easy to build a cohesive route rather than scattered stops.
Not for the monuments themselves, because the experience is visual and immediate. If you want deeper interpretation, a guided visit at Glanum is a better place to invest your time.
Start with Les Antiques, continue into Glanum for deeper context, then return to town for a café break. It’s a clean, satisfying mini-route that doesn’t feel overplanned.

Photography

Yes, because the monuments are sculptural and the Alpilles backdrop adds depth to wider shots. Close-ups are also rewarding, especially when angled light pulls out the relief carving.
Early and late light tends to flatter the stone and reduce harsh shadow. If you want fewer people in-frame, earlier hours are usually calmer.
For the monuments themselves, photography is generally straightforward because it’s an open-air stop. If you pair it with nearby indoor sites, check policies separately at those entrances.

Nearby Attractions to the Les Antiques de Glanum

  • Site Archéologique de Glanum: The main ancient-city ruins just beyond the monuments, with a richer, walk-through sense of Roman and pre-Roman Provence.
  • Saint-Paul de Mausole: A moving monastery and care site linked to Van Gogh’s Saint-Rémy period, with gardens and thoughtful interpretation.
  • Musée Estrine: A compact old-town museum that connects Van Gogh's work to the local landscape and light.
  • Musée des Alpilles: A local-history museum that explains regional traditions, folklore, and the Alpilles landscape in everyday terms.
  • Les Baux-de-Provence: A dramatic hilltop village nearby that pairs perfectly with Saint-Rémy for a full-day Alpilles itinerary.

The Les Antiques de Glanum appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Saint-Rémy-de-Provence!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

24 Hours

Price:

Free

Address: Les Antiques de GLANUM, Route des Baux de Provence - D5, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence: 1 km

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