Renowned for its ancient heritage and its gentle way of life characteristic of southern cities, Nîmes is a city of Art and History adored by those who have the chance to visit it. Famous for its arenas and its numerous monuments, Nîmes is a cultural destination, perfect for a stay under the Gardois sun.
If there is one place that is impossible to miss during your vacation in Nîmes, it is its arenas. Built at the very end of the 1st century, this amphitheater is one of the most famous Roman monuments that France has. It is also the largest and best preserved of all the buildings dating from Roman Gaul, with its 21 meter high façade, 100 meters wide and 133 long. Very impressive, these symmetrical and magnificent arenas once welcomed more than 20,000 people, who came to watch animal and gladiatorial fights. During your visit, you will be able to see the "Gladiators' Quarter" as well as the arenas where bullfighting and bullfighting are held, very popular ancestral practices in the region. These arenas often host bullfighting shows as well as sports events and concerts, which you may have the opportunity to attend during your stay: Féria de Pentecôte, Grands Jeux Romains in April, Festival de Nîmes in July, Jeudis de Nîmes in August and Festival du Flamenco in winter in particular, attract many spectators each year. After this visit, take the time to stroll along the beautiful Charles de Gaulle esplanade to admire the Pradier Fountain in its center, and head for the second most popular site in Nîmes: the Maison Carrée. Dedicated to Caius and Lucius Caesar, grandsons of Emperor Augustus, it is the only ancient temple in the world to be entirely preserved in its original state. Elegant and authentic, the Maison Carrée is a true masterpiece of Gallo-Roman architecture, as well as one of the emblems of Nîmes with its 30 high fluted columns perched 17 meters high. Built in the 1st century B.C. on a podium overlooking the ancient forum, it is one of the most beautiful monuments of the capital of Gard. Then continue your walk in Nîmes by taking the Quais de la Fontaine along the canal, to reach the gardens of the Fountain. Created in the 18th century on the ancient site of one of the first public gardens in Europe, this half-French, half-Italian garden is at once inspiring, impressive and relaxing. With its fountains, statues, water features, benches and trees under which the people of Nîmes and vacationers love to relax, it is the perfect place for a bucolic and romantic interlude. You can find the Temple of Diana and wander through its ruins, before climbing the hill of Mont Cavalier to discover, at its summit, the third Roman monument of Nîmes that you must visit: the Tour Magne. The only ancient vestige of the Augustan enclosure, the Magne Tower stands on the highest point of Nîmes, offering its curious visitors breathtaking views of the garrigue, Nîmes and the Mont Ventoux. If the last floor of this tower has unfortunately collapsed, you can still climb to its top for a breathtaking panorama!
The historic center of Nîmes is perfect for a stroll through its magnificent buildings. Nicknamed the "Écusson", it is made up of a large maze of alleys full of stores, restaurants and cafés where you will love to get lost. Take a tour of the old dyers' district to see the small temple on rue du Grand-Couvent, then stop by the Place du Marché to see its crocodile fountain. Don't miss the Romanesque house on Place aux Herbes, the Jesuits' Chapel, the Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Castor Cathedral, the Place de l'Horloge, the Grand Temple, the Porte Auguste, the Castellum and the many private mansions that dot the city, such as the Boudon Hotel and the Grange Hotel.
Since Nîmes can be visited as much as it can be tasted, make a detour to the Halles Centrales to taste the good local products of Nîmes. In this large covered market, you will find what you need to treat your taste buds by tasting in particular the "Picholines" olives, the fougasse aux grattons, the small Nîmes pâtés, the crunchy Villaret, the Caladon, the pélardon, the gardiane de taureau, the lamb, the brandade Nîmoise, without forgetting the local wines like those of the Costières de Nîmes vineyard... Enough to satisfy the taste buds of many gourmets!