The beautiful town of Nimes, located in the Gard department around 30 minutes from Montpellier, boasts 2000 years of history. The ancient Roman heritage is clearly visible in the ruins that surround the city.
The best preserved Gallo-Roman amphitheatre on the planet, the Maison Carree (square house), and the Tour Magne are among the highlights of the city. A visit to the Musee Archeologique is also a must.
1. Musee Archeologique
If you’re an archaeologist, or just have a thing for ancient Roman architecture and history, Nimes is the place to be. This southern French city, dubbed the most Roman outside Italy, has a rich, fascinating history that is woven through its streets and monuments.
The Musee Archeologique in Nimes is one of the best archaeology museums in France, and opened on 2 June 2018. Its exceptional collection of Roman artefacts includes coloured glass urns from a tomb; epigraphic steles describing the careers of magistrates and ex-slaves; a Roman coin bearing a smiling crocodile chained to a palm branch; and a gleaming 19th-century statue of the emperor Antoninus Pius, with his family reputedly from here.
The Musee Archeologique is a great way to spend a few hours or a few days in Nimes, and it’s well worth a visit. It’s also close to many other attractions, making it a convenient choice for travelers who want to make the most of their time in Nimes.
2. Porte d’Auguste
The Porte d’Auguste is a famous gate from the Roman times in Nimes. It is a great landmark to have a look at while walking around the city center.
In its original condition, the gates were made of two arches for pedestrians and two for vehicles. Sadly, there is very little of the original gate left, but it gives one a good view of the grandness of the Roman Empire!
It is also a great place to get an insight into the Roman gladiatorial culture. It has an interactive audio guide which is excellent. The staff are really helpful and are very good at answering questions!
3. Jardin de la Fontaine
The Jardin de la Fontaine is a beautiful and peaceful place to relax in the centre of Nimes. It is one of the very first public gardens in Europe and has been laid out around a 15 hectare historical and natural site.
These charming gardens were designed in the 18th century by Jacques Philippe Mareschal, Louis XV’s military engineer. His design reflects the plan of an ancient shrine and is filled with fountains, canals, pools lined with balusters and statues.
At the bottom of a hill below Tour Magne, an ancient Roman tower, this park offers a pleasant walk through carefully planted and shaded areas, to the Temple of Diana. Enthusiasts of Roman architecture will find much to interest them here.
4. Carre d’Art-Musee d’Art Contemporain
The Carre d’Art-Musee d’Art Contemporain in Nimes is one of France’s most interesting contemporary art museums. It is located in the modern building designed by Norman Foster that faces the town’s Roman temple.
The museum’s collection consists of some 600 works, including paintings and sculptures, produced from 1960 to today. They evoke movements such as New Realism, Support-Surface and Figuration Libre that originated in the South of France.
They include paintings by Mario Merz, Giuseppe Penone, Alighiero Boetti and Giovanni Anselmo as well as significant artworks by American artists Richard Artschwager, Allan Kaprow and Joseph Kosuth. They also include German painting, with Gerhard Richter, Sigmar Polke and Albert Oehlen as well as major French artists such as Sophie Calle and Annette Messager (photographic works or installations).
Like its Parisian counterpart, the Georges Pompidou Centre, the Carre d’Art-Musee provides an attractive venue for a wide range of local and visiting visitors alike. Its combination of a multimedia library and a contemporary art museum is refreshingly lively and dynamic.
5. Festivals and Events
Nimes has a lot to offer to travelers looking for a more laid-back, classically inspired side of Provence. The city blends ancient Roman ruins with modern architecture to create a unique, fascinating experience.
Its Roman heritage is best represented by the iconic Maison Carree, an ancient temple and one of Continental Europe’s best-preserved monuments, as well as the mighty Arena, a massive amphitheatre that was once the site of gladiator fights and theater performances.
In addition to its many wonderful historic sites, Nimes also has a lively cultural scene and is home to a number of charming museums. The Arenes de Nimes, an ancient amphitheater still in use, hosts concerts and other cultural events throughout the year.
