Secret garden in the Heart of the Old Town

Le Jardin Secret is a hidden courtyard house tucked away in one of the small winding lanes just off the Rond-Point des Arènes, in the historic heart of Arles.

Behind an unassuming wooden door lies a surprisingly peaceful and light-filled home arranged around a small private courtyard garden — the quiet centrepiece of the house. The house has evolved over centuries, creating a unique mix of ancient stone rooms, timber construction and tucked-away spaces that feel unmistakably Arlésien.

Entering from the lane, the hallway leads to a small conservatory and into the kitchen, with its vaulted stone ceiling, and across the courtyard to a cosy sitting room with sofas and television.

The kitchen is exceptionally well equipped for longer stays and relaxed meals at home, with a gas range, electric oven, microwave, dishwasher and two refrigerators. Below the hallway, an old stone basement has been converted into a practical utility and preparation space with butler sink, stone worktops, washing machine and freezer.

The main bedroom suite overlooks the courtyard garden and includes an 'ensuite' bathroom with shower. Adjacent to the bedroom is a small bureau and a veranda, providing quiet spaces to read or work. Although the house has two bedrooms, we normally let only the principal bedroom suite. The second bedroom, which also has a small ensuite shower room and access to the downstairs toilet by the front door, is generally reserved for longer stays.

One of the special features of Le Jardin Secret is the sense of history within the building itself. The bedroom, kitchen and basement are among the oldest parts of the house, with thick stone walls and arched ceilings dating back many centuries. The sitting room and second bedroom are of a later period — “only” around 300 years old — constructed largely in wood, while the hallway and upstairs bathroom appear to have been created later by enclosing what was once an alleyway between the two original structures.

The house has Wi-Fi, television, gas heating and hot water throughout.

Please note that this is a genuinely old house. The stone staircases are very uneven in places and all stairs are steeper than modern stairs, which may make the property unsuitable for guests with mobility concerns. There are also two small steps to the bedroom, again wore and uneven. The ancient stone ceilings and walls continually shed small amounts of dust or limewash, part of the character of a historic Provençal home. As with many houses in the old town, the sitting room only has a glass door and small window making it quite dark.

Le Jardin Secret suits guests looking for an authentic, atmospheric stay in old Arles rather than a modern apartment — a place to return to after the market, the amphitheatre, long lunches, cycling or evenings wandering through the old town.