Summary
Ancient Nemausus was a prominent city along the Via Domitia, the first Roman road established in Gaul. Today, centuries after the fall of Rome, the monuments erected here in the 1st century remain remarkably well-preserved. The extraordinary amphitheater continues to host festivals, while the Maison Carrée stands as a complete temple facade, unparalleled in the remnants of former Roman territories.
Enhance your exploration of Nîmes by visiting the Pont du Gard, a stunning aqueduct that once supplied the city with water from 50 kilometers away, alongside other ancient remnants scattered throughout this captivating city.
Interesting fact: The term “denim” (De Nîmes) originates from this textile center, which has been producing it since medieval times.
Let’s delve into the top attractions in Nîmes:
1. Les Arènes
The Roman amphitheater in Nîmes has withstood the test of time for 2,000 years and remains visually striking.
This arena continues to be utilized for celebrations and concerts, and every May, it presents a dramatic scene for six days of bullfighting during the Feria de Nîmes.
During your visit, there is much to appreciate, including the remarkable architecture of the stairwells and galleries, designed to allow 24,000 spectators to enter and exit within mere minutes without the risk of crushes.
From the exterior, near the entrance, one can observe sculpted bull heads positioned above the upper tier of arches.
2. Maison Carrée
A quintessential example of Vitruvian architecture, Maison Carrée is unparalleled in the former Roman world for its exceptional preservation.
Having stood for over 2,000 years, the only indications of aging are minor weathering on the magnificent columns of the portico.
The temple was dedicated to Gaius and Lucius Caesar, the youthful grandsons of Emperor Augustus.
Over the ensuing twenty centuries, it has served various roles including a granary, church, and a proposed tomb for the 16th-century Duke of Uzès, Antoine de Crussol.
These various functions contributed to the preservation of the temple throughout the years.
Visitors must enter through the impressive door which stands nearly seven meters tall and features an unadorned chamber that screens a film about ancient Nemausus.
3. Jardins de la Fontaine
Few parks rival the grandeur of these 18th-century gardens, which surround the water source where ancient Nîmes was founded.
Featuring regal balustrades, expansive staircases, statues, and marble vases, the gardens are complemented by exciting Roman monuments that will be explored later.
Upon its opening in 1745, the Jardins de la Fontaine became one of Europe’s first public parks, emerging from attempts to channel the natural spring that concurrent with the discovery of a temple dedicated to Augustus and a theater.
Visitors are encouraged to seek out more Roman discoveries while rejuvenating themselves among the paths lined with cedars and horse chestnuts.
4. Temple de Diane
Partially concealed beneath a cluster of pines on the western side of the Jardins de la Fontaine lie the remnants of a chamber with a long barrel vault that collapsed centuries ago.
Adjacent are passageways inscribed with centuries of graffiti, and fragments of masterfully carved stonework adorn the main room.
Although the site is referred to as the “Temple of Diana,” the precise function of the structure remains uncertain; it may have served as a library instead.
A plaque near the entrance recounts the history of the site from medieval times and its damage by fire during the early modern period.
5. La Tour Magne
At its zenith, the tower at the top of the Jardins de la Fontaine reached 32 meters, overshadowing all other structures in the city (it now stands at 18 meters, still a remarkable height). This structure is all that remains of fortifications erected during Emperor Augustus’s reign in 15 BC. Positioned at the highest point of Nemausus, it served as a vital beacon and watchtower overseeing the surrounding plains.
Visitors can enter to explore informative panels regarding its Celtic origins and ascend the stairs to the viewpoint at 18 meters, where displays illustrate how the panorama would have appeared 2,000 years ago.
6. Musée des Beaux-Arts
The second-largest fine arts museum in Languedoc-Roussillon houses a wealth of French, Italian, Flemish, and Dutch paintings spanning from the 1500s to the 1800s.
Founded in 1821, the museum was originally located in Maison Carrée before moving to its specially-constructed building on Rue de la Cité Foulc in 1907. Notable highlights include works by Pieter Coecke van Aelst, Rubens, and Paul Delaroche.
Additionally, the museum features the largest mosaic in Nîmes, measuring 8.80 meters by 5.94 meters, depicting the “Marriage of Admetus.” Following this, visitors can admire the beautifully glazed terracotta medallion of the Madonna and Child by Renaissance sculptor Andrea della Robbia.
7. Carré d’Art
After Nîmes experienced flooding in 1988, the city initiated a plan to revitalize the square surrounding Maison Carrée, resulting in the construction of a library and modern art space.
Architect Norman Foster won the design competition, creating a steel, concrete, and glass structure situated directly across from the temple.
Although it consists of nine levels, the design blends seamlessly with the environment as the lower floors are mostly underground.
The galleries feature temporary exhibits by contemporary artists along with a collection of 480 works, refreshed annually.
The exhibitions often explore 20th-century movements from Southern France and the Mediterranean, including Nouveau Réalisme and Italian Arte Povera.
8. Pont du Gard
This magnificent structure spans the Gardon River, located 20 kilometers from Nîmes, and is an integral part of the city’s ancient infrastructure.
The aqueduct transported water from the Fontaine d’Eure, circumventing the nearby high plateau with a 50-kilometer arc.
Pont du Gard represents the most impressive segment, reaching an elevation of nearly 50 meters, characterized by three tiers of arches.
Remarkably, despite the immense scale of the aqueduct, the gradient is only a mere 2.5 centimeters from one side of Pont du Gard to the other, which is 275 meters apart at the opposite bank.
9. Castellum Divisorium
Located behind the railing on Rue de la Lampeze is a site rarely found elsewhere in the world, with similarities only to Pompeii.
While it may appear unassuming, as the information panel explains, this was the terminal of the Aqueduct of Nemausus.
It is astonishing to consider that water traversed 50 kilometers to reach this point.
Visible within the structure are ten holes where lead pipes would have been attached to supply water to public fountains, amenities, and residences fortunate enough to have access.
10. Les Halles de Nîmes
The stalls of a covered market reveal a great deal about a French city.
Visitors will be impressed by the lavish displays of regional produce, with local specialties such as picholine olives and freshly caught fish like bream and oysters sold by fishmongers a few hours after their catch.
Moreover, as many locals do their shopping at Les Halles, it provides a glimpse into daily life that is often absent from more tourist-oriented locales.
Do bring an appetite, as lunch offers a variety of food stalls serving traditional dishes including brandade, cassoulet, and even paella.
11. Nîmes Cathedral
The cathedral epitomizes the tumultuous history of Nîmes, evident upon viewing its western facade, which reveals signs of significant wear through the years.
This location has hosted a religious edifice since the Roman temple of Augustus, with the northwest tower and select arches on the facade dating back to the 1100s.
These remnants survived during the French Wars of Religion in the 16th and 17th centuries, while the remainder of the structure took on a neo-Gothic design in the 19th century, alongside renovations to the interior resulting in a neo-Byzantine aesthetic.
Visitors should take note of the organ dating back to 1643, which features a carved buffet designated as a French historical monument.
12. Place aux Herbes
Upon examining the cathedral’s facade, one can discern a series of holes to the left of the entrance, once utilized by medieval market vendors to secure their stalls to the wall.
Place aux Herbes was also the scene of some of Nîmes’ darkest episodes during the French Wars of Religion, including the infamous massacre of Catholic priests and monks during Huguenot riots in the Michelade of 1567, which instigated the Second War of Religion.
However, the area has transformed into a lively public space, offering cafes for conversation, a flea market, and delightful ice cream from nearby vendors.
13. Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle
Adjacent to the amphitheater is an elegant open space adorned with plane trees, hackberries, and the ornate marble Fontaine Pradier.
Constructed in 1851, this fountain serves as an allegorical representation of the city and the surrounding region.
The woman atop the pedestal symbolizes Nîmes, with the Maison Carrée positioned upon her head (in the Roman tradition), while the four figures below represent the major bodies of water in the area: the spring in Nîmes, the Gardon, the Eure (channeled to Nîmes via the aqueduct), and the Rhône.
After this geographical overview, visitors may wish to relax at a nearby cafe or enjoy a leisurely walk beneath the hackberries and plane trees along one of the promenades.
14. Roman Gates
The Via Domitia Roman road traversed through Porte Auguste en route to Cadiz in Spain, thus linking the southern endpoint of Iberia with Rome.
In the center, two vast arches accommodate road traffic, with smaller openings flanking them for pedestrian passage.
On the ground, you can discern the locations of two towers that once defended the gateway two millennia ago.
The less prominent Porte de France lies south of Nîmes, featuring a single arch above a road, topped with a blind gallery (pillars and lintels without an opening).
15. Gastronomy
Brandade is a signature dish of Nîmes, comprising a creamy emulsion made from salt cod and olive oil, often paired with potatoes or bread.
This comforting winter dish is frequently prepared within a pastry pie.
Picholine olives are a local favorite, commonly enjoyed raw as a snack alongside drinks.
These olives also produce exceptional olive oil and serve as a key ingredient in tapenade, a savory olive paste blended with anchovies and herbs, perfect for crusty bread.
For a hearty traditional meal, Gardiane de taureau, a red wine stew featuring tender slow-cooked bull meat, is commonly served with rice and black olives.
