Visiting Nîmes: what are the best things to do and see in this Unesco World Heritage candidate city in 2018?
Nîmes traces its origins back to antiquity, and as such, the city in the south of France is a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage listing. Historically rich, the city on the Via Domitia is a city of identity that enjoys the status of Ville d’Art et d’Histoire (City of Art and History). As well as being a key stopover in the south of France, Nîmes is memorable for its richly instructive monuments. If you have the opportunity to visit Nîmes, there are a few things you absolutely must do. Hence the importance of these 12 must-dos in Nîmes.
Did you know? The word « denim » (from Nîmes) comes from this textile cluster and has been manufactured in Nîmes since medieval times.
Before you set off to visit Nîmes, it’s important to know the 13 must-do things to do in Nîmes :
1. the Nîmes arena
Photo credit: Flickr – Nathan Hughes Hamilton
The arena symbolizes a Roman amphitheatre that was built in the Gard town towards the end of the 1st century. During the Great Invasions, the amphitheater served as a place of refuge. It has become the emblem of the district and the city, with its streets and stores dating from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. No visit to Nîmes is complete without a visit to the Roman amphitheatre. Every year, the Nîmes arena hosts concerts, shows and even Roman games. From the outside, near the entrance, you can see the sculpted heads of the bulls just above the upper level of the arches.
2. The Square House
Photo credit: Flickr – sKCUB Ma
Compared to the arena, the Maison Carrée was a hexagonal Roman temple in Nîmes in the early 1st century AD. It was founded by Augustus in the early 1st century. Following recent renovations, it now features a cinema showing a film called « Nemausus, the birth of Nîmes », which is shown continuously every day.
From consular house to museum to church, the interior of this house is also well worth a visit to Nîmes to discover the city’s history and learn about its antiquity. The Maison Carrée is a listed historic monument.
3. Romanité Museum
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Goran Bogicevic
The Musée de la Romanité, inaugurated in 2018, is a contemporary architectural edifice housing priceless Roman artefacts. Innovative with its undulating façade, the museum creates a contrast with the Arènes. It invites visitors to take a journey through the centuries, thanks to its many collections of Roman artifacts and mosaics from excavations. New technologies, such as augmented reality and monumental audiovisual technologies, are used to explore the history of Nîmes, taking visitors back to another era.
The museum is also a lively place, with a restaurant, garden and rooftop terrace where you can stroll. All in all, the Musée de la Romanité highlights the city’s Roman treasures.
4. Nîmes Feria
Photo credit: Flickr – Julien
The Feria de Nîmes has the particularity of focusing on bullfighting, which has taken place every year since 1952 at Pentecost and for the Vendanges. During these festivities, there are parades of brass bands, floats and horsemen. And of course, it’s the drink stalls that have made the Feria so famous. A visit to the city’s Feria is well worth the trip to Nîmes and the thrill of the experience.
5. Bois des Espeisses
The walk through the Bois des Espeisses is ideal for hikers and cyclists. In fact, the picnic tables and numerous play areas are a delight for families who come here. You’ll have the chance to explore its heritage, wildlife and aquatic activities. So a visit to Nîmes is also a time for fun and relaxation.
6. Nîmes Festival
During the vacations, the Nîmes Festival attracts the world’s biggest music fans. The Festival is held in the Nîmes arena. That’s why it’s a must to attend the dance at the Festival de Nîmes if you have the opportunity to visit Nîmes.
7. The Clock Tower
Photo credit: Flickr – Stephen Colebourne
The Tour de l’Horloge is a must-see monument in Nîmes. It is located in the city’s historic center. The tower is 31 meters high. More specifically, the attraction lies in the wrought-iron bell that hangs from the top. The tower has also been listed as a historic monument since 2011. Finally, a café terrace offers a magnificent view of the paving, the fountain and the play of light.
8. Castellum Aquae
Photo credit: Flickr – rene_beignet
The Castellum Aquae is a basin 5.90 m in diameter and 1.40 m deep, and is in fact the arrival point of the Nîmes aqueduct. Up to this point, water was channelled through pipes to public fountains and the city’s various districts, and a valve was used to regulate the flow. The pipes in the Castellum Aquae were adapted to the ten circular orifices arranged in a fan-shape. The overflow was then discharged into the sewage system, contributing to the city’s sanitation. If you’re visiting Nîmes, a tour of the Castellum is a great way to understand the sewage system of the time.
9. Les Halles de Nîmes
Photo credit: Facebook – Les Halles de Nîmes Officiel
You’ll marvel at the sumptuous displays of regional produce, including picholine olives and fish such as sea bream and oysters, caught that very morning and sold at the fishmongers’ counters a few hours later. Go with a minimum appetite, as at lunchtime you can enjoy gourmet bars serving local dishes such as brandade, cassoulet and even paella.
10. Pont du Gard
Photo credit: Flickr – Gordon
The Pont du Gard is about twenty kilometers from Nîmes. It’s a must-see if you’re ever in the Occitanie region. With a history spanning more than forty centuries, the Pont du Gard is characterized by its large and small arches spanning the Gardon river. Finally, if you spend the day there, you can picnic on the small beaches along the Gardon, while a number of Mediterranean-flavored restaurants can be found not far from the site.
11. Le Carré d’Art
Photo credit: Flickr – jean-louis Zimmermann
After the 1988 floods in Nîmes, the city decided to rejuvenate the square around the Maison Carrée and build a library and modern art space. Norman Foster won the architectural competition, and his steel, concrete and glass creation now stands directly opposite the temple. Although it has nine floors, the building is far from spoiling the landscape, as the lower floors are all underground. The galleries host temporary exhibitions by contemporary artists, a collection of 480 works and permanent exhibitions renewed every year. Come and discover twentieth-century movements from southern France and the Mediterranean, such as Nouveau Réalisme and Italian Arte Povera.
12. Roman walls
Photo credit: Flickr – Allie_Caulfield
The Via Domitia Roman road passed through the Porte d’Auguste on its way down to Cadiz in Spain, linking the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula to Rome. It was Emperor Augustus who gave Nîmes one of the largest city walls in Roman Gaul. The Porte d’Auguste and the Porte de France are the only gates still visible.
13. Les Jardins de la Fontaine
Photo credit: Flickr – Nicolas Garcia
A stroll through the Jardins de la Fontaine in Nîmes reveals two of the city’s major ancient monuments: the Temple of Diana and the Tour Magne. They are one of Europe’s most memorable public parks. That’s why these gardens are one of the must-see things to do in Nîmes.
How to get to Nîmes
Nîmes is easily accessible by train or car, as it lies on the Paris-Montpellier-Barcelona line or along the A9 motorway. Nîmes also has its own airport, but Marseille and Montpellier offer more flights in and out. To find a cheap flight to Nîmes, you can search on our partner website Skyscanner.
Where to stay in Nîmes?
Nîmes covers an area of some 160 km², so it’s important to choose the right area in which to stay. The best place to stay is in or near the historic center. You can find a cheap hotel in Nîmes by carrying out a search on this hotel comparator.
Main photo credit: Flickr – Wolfgang Staudt
Map of hotels and accommodation – Nîmes,fr