This lively city boasts some of France's best-preserved classical buildings, including a famous Roman amphitheatre, although the city is most famous for its sartorial export, serge de Nîmes – better known to cowboys, clubbers and couturiers as denim.
Les ArènesROMAN SITES
Nîmes’ twin-tiered amphitheatre is the best-preserved in France. Built around 100 BC, the arena would have seated 24,000 spectators and staged gladiatorial contests and public executions, and it still provides an impressive venue for gigs, events and summer bullfights. An audioguide provides context as you explore the arena, seating areas, stairwells and corridors (rather marvellously known to Romans as vomitories), and afterwards you can view replicas of gladiatorial armour and original bullfighters’ costumes in the museum.
Maison CarréeROMAN SITES
Constructed in gleaming limestone around AD 5, this temple was built to honour Emperor Augustus’ two adopted sons. Despite the name, the Maison Carrée (Square House) is actually rectangular – to the Romans, ‘square’ simply meant a building with right angles. The building is beautifully preserved, complete with stately columns and triumphal steps; it’s worth paying the admission to see the interior, but probably worth skipping the lame 3D film.
Féria de Pentecôte & Féria des VendangesBULLFIGHTING
Nîmes becomes more Spanish than French during its two férias(bullfighting festivals): the five-day Féria de Pentecôte (Whitsuntide Festival) in June, and the three-day Féria des Vendanges on the third weekend in September. Each is marked by daily corridas (bullfights).
AIR
Ryanair is the only airline to use Nîmes' airport (FNI; %04 66 70 49 49;www.nimes-aeroport.fr), 10km southeast of the city on the A54.
BUS
Edgard (www.edgard-transport.fr) runs services to Pont du Gard (40 minutes, hourly Monday to Saturday) from the bus station (next to the train station).
TRAIN
From the train station , there are more than 12 TGVs a day to/from Paris' Gare de Lyon (€62.50 to €111, three hours). Other destinations include Avignon (€8.50, 30 minutes).
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