This a republished post by the Barefoot Blogger from France Today. 

Why is Nimes a “must-see” for Roman history lovers? Because it’s a city where you can literally see, touch, and experience Roman life in France during the days of the Roman Empire.

France has so many amazing places to visit. It’s hard to decide where to start. If you’re a Roman history buff, you must visit Nimes to learn about Roman life in France. Unlike other places with a rich Roman history that are now in ruins, there are many artifacts from Augustus Caesar’s time that are in active use still today.

Nimes

Roman Life in France

In Nimes, you can walk on the same streets, into the same buildings … literally sit in the same seats as the Romans who once occupied this part of Gaul.

Visiting Nimes is more than seeing “remnants” of Roman civilization. There are intact, still-standing Roman structures. A Roman temple, a Roman arena, a Roman tower. Places that are enjoyed now by real, 21st century people.

Maison Carrée

Roman Amphitheater , the Arènes de Nîmes

The Tour Magne

Roman Life in France

The Roman History of Nimes

The area that is now Nimes was an established community as early as 400o BC. It was founded as a Roman colony (Colonia Nemausus) by Tiberius Claudius Nero in 45 or 44 B.C. for veterans that had served Julius Caesar under his command in Gaul and the invasion of Egypt. The name “Nemausus” was derived from the name of a Celtic god — the protector of the nearby spring that provided water for the early settlement.

Coin of Nemausus circa 40 BC

As part of the Roman Empire, Nemausus benefitted from great wealth — especially during the reign of Augustus (27BC-14 AD) and from an era of relative peace, Pax Romana (Roman Peace).  The city reflected its opulence with grand architecture typical of a prosperous Roman colony. Among the most famous, the Maison Carrée was originally a Corinthian temple that dominated the city’s forum.

It is said that Thomas Jefferson became so enamored with the Maison Carrée during a visit to France, as foreign minister to the United States, that he had a clay replica made. He later used the model to design the capitol building of Virginia, his home state.

Maison Carrée in Nimes

As part of the Roman Empire, Nemausus benefitted from great wealth — especially during the reign of Augustus (27BC-14 BC) — and from an era of relative peace, Pax Romana (Roman Peace).  The city reflected its opulence with grand architecture typical of a prosperous Roman colony. Among the most famous, the Maison Carrée was originally a Corinthian temple that dominated the city’s forum.

It is said that Thomas Jefferson became so enamored with the Maison Carrée during a visit to France, as foreign minister to the United States, that he had a clay replica made. He later used the model to design the capitol building of Virginia, his home state.

Virginia State Capitol Building in Richmond,VA

Roman Life in France

The Arènes de Nimes or the “Amphitheater”

In Roman times, the Arènes de Nimes could hold up to 24,000 spectators spread over 34 rows of terraces.  Divided into four separate areas, each section could be accessed through hundreds of galleries, stairwells, and passages.

Aréna in Nimes

The amphitheater was designed for crowd control and ultimate viewing pleasure. There were no bottlenecks when spectators flooded in, and all had unrestricted visibility of the entire arena. Several galleries and entrances were located beneath the arena so that animals and gladiators could access the arena during the Roman games.

Gallery entrance inside the amphitheater

The “games” included animal hunts with lions, tigers, and elephants, and gladiator matches. Executions were held, as well, where those in town who were convicted to death were thrown to the animals as punishment.

Inside the Aréna Nimes

Roman Life in France

After the times of the Roman Empire, Nimes fell into the hands of the Visigoths, then the Muslims. The Visigoths turned the arena into a fortress or “castrum arena” where the townspeople could gather in the event of an attack. When Pepin the Short, father of Charlemagne, captured the city in 752, the splendor that was Nimes was pretty much in ruins. It was not until 1786 that work began to restore the arena to its original grandeur.

The Tour Magne (Magne Tower) remains a prominent structure in Nimes, erected during the reign of Augustus in 1 BC. It is said to have been built atop an earlier Celtic/Gallic tower from 15BC- 14BC. The tallest structure for miles around, the Tour Magne was used as part of the fortification that surrounded the city. What remains of the tower can be seen from throughout the city.

Tour Magna before

Tour Magna today

Along with the Roman buildings that are still in use today in Nimes, there are ruins of the early civilization that visitors can wander through or view.

The Porte d’Auguste, part of the fortifications of Nemausus, Nîmes

The so-called Temple of Diana, built during the Augustine era.
(Photo by Carole Raddato)

Roman Life in France

Your Walking Tour of Nimes

The downtown area of the Roman city of Nimes is still alive. The most historic Roman monuments are within walking distance. To reach Les Jardin de la Fontaine, you might want to hop on a local bus. Visit the Temple de Diane while you are there. If you climb up to the highest levels of the terraced stairway, through more gardens, you will reach the park-like area of Mont Cavalier. Further up the hill is the Tour Magne. It’s a hike to reach the tower, but it’s worth it if you want a view of the city from all directions. Take along plenty of water and, perhaps, a snack so that you can stop and enjoy the view along the way.

The historic area of Nimes

Step by step guide

• Nimes can be reached by train, bus, and car. The train station (GARE) is in the center of the historic area. Regional buses stop behind the train station as well. From the station, a pedestrian promenade leads straight from the station to the amphitheater.

The Gare

Promenade in front of the Gare

Visitors’ center

• Park at any one of the downtown parking lots. Just follow the blue P signs.  Some of the parking is outside and some in a garage. When I visit Nimes, I park at the Marché (city market) that is outlined in purple on the map because it is so close to the Maison Carrée.
• Start your tour at the Maison Carrée. A  20-minute film runs every 30 minutes during the tourist season. It’s excellent, and it gives you an overview of the history of Nimes. You can buy combination tickets that give you admission to the film, the amphitheater, and the Tour Magne.
• Walk to the Arèna (amphitheater). There are self-guided tours of the amphitheater with headphones and an audio presentation describing the days of gladiators. Stop along the way to the amphitheater, or afterward, at any of the many cafes and restaurants for a more leisurely visit.
• Walk past the Porte d’Auguste to view a part of the fortification that protected the ancient city. It’s not a short walk from the amphitheater, but it’s on the way to your next stop.
• Les Jardin de la Fontaine is a “modern” part of Nimes that has a rich Roman background. It was built in the 18th century atop the ruins of Roman baths (thermal). You can stroll for hours in the garden, enjoying the fountains, canals, and seasonal plantings.

• Tour Magne is your last stop. The tower is open for tourists (check the schedule) to wander through inside. A very narrow, spiral stairway leads to a viewing area where you can see the city of Nimes from all angles.

Stairway inside the Tower Magne that leads to the viewing area at the top

View of Nimes from atop Tower Magne

Here’s another reason why you must see Nimes

 Nimes blends the “new” with the “ancient.” A modern world among ancient Roman buildings. The Amphitheatre, for example, is the entertainment center used for rock concerts and other popular musical events. 

Times amphitheater is home for huge music events.

Roman history reenactments, with all the pomp and ceremony, are staged in the Nimes amphitheater each year.

Amphitheater in Nimes

Then there are the Ferias or bullfights in the amphitheater. The events are popular in the south of France still today and draw crowds for the weekend events. 

Regardless of the time of year,  there’s a party going on. 

Maison Carrée

For more information about the arena

Maison Carrée

More places to visit history in Provence

Film trailer of the history of Nimes, on view at the Maison Carrée