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Museum · Arles, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
LUMA Arles
Contemporary art center in a former railway workshops courtyard, featuring Frank Gehry's steel tower, 19th-century sheds with exhibitions, and a park with a lake.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About LUMA Arles
LUMA Arles is an art complex created by the Fondation LUMA, of Swiss collector Maja Hoffmann, in the Parc des Ateliers, the former railway workshops site in Arles, covering 7 hectares. The campus opened in 2021 and brings together restored 19th-century industrial sheds and a new tower.
The tower was designed by Frank Gehry. It is 56 meters tall, has 10 different floors, and is covered by almost 11,000 stainless-steel panels. Gehry said the form evokes the rock formations of the Alpilles and Van Gogh's The Starry Night, and that the glass rotunda at the base echoes the Roman arena.
The sheds and the tower host rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, photography and design, as well as performances and conferences. From the terrace atop the tower there are views over Arles, the Rhône and the Camargue.
Around the complex, the park designed by landscape architect Bas Smets features regional plants and a lake. The site sits next to the Alyscamps, about a 15-minute walk from the center.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 2 to 3 hours, including the tower, the sheds and the park.
Best time
On weekdays, in the morning. LUMA typically closes on Tuesdays and, outside summer, also on Wednesdays. Check opening hours before you go.
How to get there
About a 15-minute walk from the center, via the boulevard des Lices and the avenue Victor-Hugo, next to the Alyscamps.
Tip
Go up to the tower terrace for views over Arles and the Rhône. Combine this visit with the Alyscamps, which border the park. Check in advance which exhibitions are on.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about LUMA Arles
Who designed the tower?
The American-Canadian architect Frank Gehry. The tower is 56 meters tall, has 10 different floors, and is covered with stainless-steel panels.
On which days does LUMA close?
It usually closes on Tuesdays and, outside summer, also on Wednesdays. Check before you go.
Is it worth visiting for someone who doesn't like contemporary art?
The tower's architecture, the view from the terrace, and the park alone make it worth a visit, even for those not planning to see all the exhibitions.