L’Arlatan

Arles is a city where different centuries coexist with unusual ease. Roman monuments, medieval streets, contemporary art institutions and industrial heritage all exist within walking distance of one another. L'Arlatan reflects that same layering of history.

The property occupies one of the city's most significant historic residences, a site whose origins reach back to late antiquity. Over the centuries it evolved into one of Arles' most important private mansions, welcoming notable visitors and occupying a prominent place within the historic fabric of the city.

Its contemporary identity emerged through the vision of Maja Hoffmann, whose long-term commitment to Arles has reshaped the city's cultural landscape. After acquiring the property, she invited artist Jorge Pardo to rethink the entire building. Rather than designing a hotel interior, Pardo approached the project as a complete artwork.

Floors, walls, lighting, furniture and decorative elements were conceived as part of a single visual language. Handmade ceramic tiles, custom-designed furnishings and richly coloured surfaces transform every room into an extension of the artist's vision. The result feels neither like a conventional hotel nor a museum, but something in between.

What distinguishes L'Arlatan is the dialogue between historic architecture and contemporary creativity. Ancient stone walls, listed architectural elements and archaeological remains coexist with one of the most ambitious artistic hotel projects undertaken in France in recent decades.

Like LUMA Arles, L'Arlatan demonstrates how contemporary culture can inhabit historic structures without diminishing their identity. It is both a place to stay and a cultural experience in its own right.