Our Visit to Nîmes and a Candlelight Concert Too

Ridiculously, we have passed through Nîmes many times over the years but have never been into the city to visit any of the Roman sites there, so it was the perfect opportunity to tick this off the list, especially as he’s passionate about history, too.

So, on Sunday afternoon, we hopped in the car and drove across the city, parking in one of the central car parks and walking out into the main plaza outside the magnificent Arena.

The Arena in Nimes is a spectacular sight, set in the city’s centre, on the edge of the warren of narrow old streets. Whereas buildings surround the arena in Arles, this stands proud in isolation and is, in some ways, more similar to the Colosseum. Continue reading Julie’s original post about their first visit to Nîmes and a spectacular candlelight concert in the Roman arena.

Buy Tickets to a Candlelight Concert

Reasons to Visit Nîmes

Not much has changed since the Roman era in Nîmes – fabulous monuments and good food remain central to the city’s fabric. In 1840, la Maison Carrée, a beautifully restored Roman temple, was listed as a French historic monument, and as of September 18, 2023, it is now on the UNESCO list of historical monuments.

Reasons to Vist Nîmes

Nîmes was the capital of Provincia Romana. Once known as “the most Roman city outside of Italy,” at its heart is a well-preserved Roman arena. It is one of the largest and best-preserved globally and is still used today for events ranging from concerts to mock gladiator battles. It once seated 24,000 spectators, and because Nîmes can get very hot in the summer, it had a sophisticated cooling system. This included a kind of retractable roof, plus canons that shot thousands of gallons of water in the air to create a cooling mist. Today, the arena is used for everything from concerts to bullfights to “gladiator battles,” where ancient weapons and fighting techniques are showcased.

Credit @Nimes Tourism

A short walk from the arena is the Maison Carrée, considered one of the world’s most perfect Roman temples. Its classical form, deep portico and majestic Corinthian columns inspired Thomas Jefferson when he designed the Virginia State Capitol. The Maison Carrée has been cleaned over the last few years, restoring lustre to its gleaming white marble walls and columns. You may need to wear your sunglasses when you visit!

Credit @Nimes Tourism

During the Roman period, a ring of ramparts four miles long surrounded the city of Nemauses, reinforced by 14 watchtowers. One of these, the Tour Magne, still exists, and you can spot it occasionally as you wander through the city. A climb to the top of the tower for excellent views of the city and the surrounding countryside.

Credit @Nimes Tourism

Don’t leave Nîmes without trying the local sandwich. Celebrating the city’s Gallo-Roman past, two residents, Jean-Karim Taghzouti, the owner of la Maison du Goût, and Gilles Deschamps, a passionate food lover, shared a Roman-inspired sandwich – Le Crocus de Nîmes.

Crocus de Nîmes a Sandwich

This original lunchtime recipe is the gastronomic emblem of Nîmes. All of the ingredients could have been found during Roman times.

Check out this recipe

Nîmes: Musée de la Romanité

Musée de la Romanité opened in 2018 directly across the street from the arena. Its exterior is clad in a funky metal scarf that its designer likens to a toga. The museum space is well laid out and brightly lit, making excellent use of digital technology, employing interactive maps and 3D reconstructions to bring history to life. One highlight is the museum’s collection of mosaics that once decorated the homes of wealthy Romans. Several of these mosaics were discovered only recently and are so well preserved that one expert calls them “The finest examples after those of Pompeii.”

Credit @Nimes Tourism