Only a twenty-minute drive from the Nest, the city of Nîmes is a must see. Dubbed the most Roman city outside Italy, Nîmes has a rich history dating back to the Roman Empire. To this day, Nîmes has the finest collection of Roman remains in France. It has one of best-preserved Roman Amphitheaters in the world. The arena is alive with concerts, bullfights and Roman games. It is open daily for touring.
Nîmes has a dazzling, Roman museum, the Musée de la Romanité. Here you will discover a huge range of hi-tech gadgetry: immersive projections, touchscreens, holograms, sound showers and interactive displays. It also has a cafe, giftshop, restaurant and huge roof terrace, from where visitors can see the nine hills of Nîmes and many of the city’s Roman buildings, including the Amphitheater.
Jardin de la Fontaine – Located on a hill in the heart of Nîmes, these gardens are lush with fountains, sculpture and greenery and are definitely worth the visit. Part of the gardens date back to the Roman period – the first public garden in Europe.
The Maison Carrée is an ideal place to begin your Nîmes visit. You can watch a 3-D film called Nemausus, the birth of Nîmes which walks you through the colorful history of the city. Inspired by the temples of Apollo and Mars Ultor in Rome, the Maison Carrée charms visitors with its harmonious proportions. The only ancient temple to be completely preserved, the Maison Carrée measures 26 meters long by 15 meters wide and 15 meters high. It’s so beautiful that is inspired Thomas Jefferson’s design for the State Capital building in Richmond, Virginia.
Take a day to stroll around Nîmes and enjoy the relaxed vibe of the city with it’s cafes, monuments and stunning architecture.
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