Hôtel Nord-Pinus in Arles, Picasso’s favourite, is back

In 1888, when Vincent van Gogh wanted to paint a café at night, he chose the terrace of a café on the Place du Forum in Arles. Situated in the centre of the town, which hovers above the Camargue salt marshes on France’s southern coast, the square has retained mythical status – in latter years, thanks to the Grand Hôtel Nord-Pinus.

Napoleon III, Maria Callas and Yves Montand all stayed there; Henry James and Jean Cocteau haunted the bar….