- published: 28 Apr 2014
- views: 11763
Coordinates: 43°40′36″N 4°37′40″E / 43.67670°N 4.6278°E / 43.67670; 4.6278
Arles (French pronunciation: [aʁl]; Occitan: Arle [ˈaʀle] in both classical and Mistralian norms; Arelate in ancient Latin) is a city and commune in the south of France, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, of which it is a subprefecture, in the former province of Provence.
A large part of the Camargue is located on the territory of the commune, making it the largest commune in Metropolitan France in terms of territory (though Maripasoula, French Guiana is much larger). The city has a long history, and was of considerable importance in the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis. The Roman and Romanesque Monuments of Arles were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1981. The Dutch post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh lived in Arles in 1888-1889 and produced over 300 paintings and drawings during his time there. An international photography festival has been held in the city since 1970.
The Rhône river forks into two branches just upstream of Arles, forming the Camargue delta. Because the Camargue is for a large part administratively part of Arles, the commune as a whole is the largest commune in Metropolitan France in terms of territory, although its population is only slightly more than 50,000. Its area is 758.93 km2 (293.02 sq mi), which is more than seven times the area of Paris.
strike up the band, let's start a fire
put up your hands, show your desire
if you want this, don't hold back.
asked you to stand like one of the choir
lift up your voice, build it up higher
in this moment, don't look back.
cause tonight, the stars are in your eyes
tonight, our arms are opened wide
i don't want to be anywhere else
and if i have to give all of myself
i don't want to be anywhere else but here with you
lost in the sounds, a song in your head
jumping around, nothing compares to this moment
and nothing ever will
cause tonight, the stars are in your eyes
tonight, our arms are opened wide
i don't want to be anywhere else
and if i have to give all of myself
i don't want to be anywhere else but here with you
a million eyes stare into space
not you and i, we're face to face
i don't want to be anywhere else but here
turn the whole world upside down – let's pour it out
let's all reach for higher ground while we're looking down
strike up the band, let's start a fire
put up your hands, show your desire
if you want this, don't hold back
i don't want to be anywhere else
and if i have to give all of myself
i don't want to be anywhere else but here with you
a million eyes stare into space
not you and i, we're face to face