Arles

In Awe of the French: History Preserved

Romans in France

Anytime I take a trip in France and walk among ancient Roman ruins, I am thankful to the French for reminding the world about Romans in France.

In French towns and villages where the Romans used to roam, you can actually see, feel, touch, and experience the places of the past. There are arenas, forums, and amphitheaters in the center of towns that are as active today as 2,000 years ago.

Romans in France

Maison Carree in Nimes

 

Romans in France

Arena in Arles

 

Roman’s in France

Arena in Nimes

 

You can climb on and over the walls, paths, and steps where Caesar’s men walked.

Pont du Gard Aqueduct

Pont du Gard Aqueduct

You can tread the same routes where early villagers pushed their carts and led their horses.

Ruins of Maison au Dauphin in Vaison-la-Romaine

Ruins of Maison au Dauphin in Vaison-la-Romaine

 

l'Arc de Triomphe in Orange

l’Arc de Triomphe in Orange

 

Thank you, France, for preserving these sites and for leaving these places open and available to the public.

Roman Baths in Arles

Roman Baths in Arles

 

Théâtre antique d'Orange

Théâtre Antique d’Orange

 

Thank you for enabling us to re-live, revere, and learn from those before us. 

Jardins de la Fontaine in Nimes

Jardins de la Fontaine in Nimes

 

 

Amphitheatre in Arles

Amphitheatre in Arles

 

Tour Magne in Nimes

Tour Magne in Nimes

 

Amphitheater in Arles

Amphitheater in Arles

 

Remnants of the aqueduct at Pont du Gard

Remnants of the aqueduct at Pont du Gard

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Thanks to Pete Bine for contributing photos for this post!

For more information on the sights, visit these “sites. “

In Nimes:

Arena

Jardins de la Fontaine

Maison Carree

Tour Magne

Pont du Gard

 

In Arles:

Arena

Amphitheatre

Roman Baths

In Orange

Théâtre antique d’Orange

l’Arc de Triomphe

 

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7 replies »

  1. Hi Debby:

    When do you leave for Nepal? We went in 1995 and LOVED it. I will be thinking of you as it is a trip of a lifetime.

    Namaste, Carolyne Kauser-Abbott (CKA) ckabbott@me.com +33 6 48 10 54 02 (403) 560-9250 Ginger and Nutmeg Facebook & Twitter Perfectly Provence Edible Heritage Apps Edible Heritage Technologies

    • I leave for Lyon today, Istanbul on Thursday, then onto Katmandu. Hopefully I can send some posts along the way. And hopefully I make it back to France all in one piece! Thanks for your links, comments, etc. You’re awesome!

  2. -Pete is a terrific photographer; these photos look like travel posters! I was glad to see the picture of the spring in Uzes. I vaguely remembered from my brief visit there, that it was the source of the river Gard. It’s good to know that I’m not completely senile yet.
    -I just visited several iron age sites on the Isle of Lewis, UK. I agree that it puts our American sense of history in sharp perspective.

  3. I know exactly what you mean here Debby. The UK has lots of great historical sites too, though those you picture here are much better Roman sites than we have in the UK. Nevertheless, when I visit these sites, I always seem to connect with the history and the people who were involved in a spiritual way…

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