Nîmes City Guide
Nîmes is situated on the border between Provence and Languedoc and offers a perfect mix of the two regions as well as some Spanish influences. Nîmes was an important town during the Roman Empire. The Roman impact is still visible today. Some of Europe’s best preserved Roman monuments can be found in Nîmes.
Nîmes is approximately 3 hours by train from Paris or Lille.
What to do and see in and around Nîmes
Les Arènes
Les Arènes was built around the same time as Rome’s Coliseum and is one of the world’s best preserved amphitheatres. Discover the world of gladiators or experience the action of bullfighting.
Maison Carée & Carré d’Art
The Maison Carée is another well preserved Roman building. It was built around AD 5 in honor of Emperor Augustus two adoptive sons. During the years the temple has served as meeting hall, private residence, stables, church and archive. On the other side of the square is the striking Carré d’Art a stunning modern glass and steel building, inspired by the Maison Carré. Enjoy a coffee in the roof-terrace café of Carré d’Art and admire the view of the Maison Carré.
Jardins de la Fontaine
Nîmes’s fountain Garden was France’s first public garden, created in 1750. The garden is a real sanctuary and is decorated with Roman statues around the waterways. In the gardens you can admire the romantic Temple of goddess Diana and the magnificent Magne Tower. The Magne Tower was built around 15 BC and offers fantastic views of Nimes.
Pont du Gard
20 minutes from Nîmes by bus
Take a trip out to the Pont du Gard a remarkably well preserved Roman aqueduct and a Unesco World Heritage site. The Pont du Gard were originally part of a 50 kilometer long canal system built to bring water to Nîmes. Go upstream the river for the best view.
Avignon
30 minutes from Nîmes by train
Avignon is a beautiful medieval walled city, dominated by the Palais des Papes, where the 14th century Popes moved to from Rome. Visit Avignon to see charming buildings, old churches, and the splendour of the Papal Palace.
Arles
30 minutes from Nîmes by train
Take the train from Nîmes to visit pretty Arles. Arles was a Roman settlement, and has a vast and well preserved Roman Arena and Roman theatre. The artist Van Gogh lived in Arles, and some of his most famous paintings, including "Café de Nuit", depict the city.
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