Nimes

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Description

Nîmes is a city with about 137,000 citizens in the Departement Gard. It has a stunning Roman Coliseum that is second only to Rome's. There are a few other fine Roman relics and Diana's Palace.

Access

You can access Nîmes via Autoroute A9 or A54. The SNCF connects Nîmes to Montpellier and Avignon. The airport Nîmes-Garons is 20km outside the city.

Activities and Sightseeing

• Les Arenes (Roman Ampitheatre), Place des Arènes, 04-66-76-77. 9 am – 12.30 pm and 2 pm – 6 pm. a well preserved Roman arena that hosts bull fighting festivals in September. It was built 100 AD to seat 24,000 spectators It currently seats 10,000 when full and is an amazing site.

• Maison Carré, a very well preserved first century Roman temple that would make Nîmes worth a visit even if there were nothing else to look at or enjoy in the city. It currently shows a 3D film of heroes of Nîmes.

• Jardin de la Fontaine, home of Nîmes' other important Roman monuments, beautuful statues, temple of Diane is to the left through the main entrance. Free entrance. The grounds close at sunset, in summer open till 10 pm.

• Culturespaces operate the Arenes de Nîmes, Maison Carrée and the Tour Magne and offer a combined ticket.

The Office de Tourisme prints a 50 page English booklet entitled "Bienvenue" each year, which isn't available off the shelf, unless you specifically ask for it. It contains lists of Hotels, Camp Sites, Restaurants and bars. They also print a Travel Guide with descriptions of the sights to see in Nimes.

• Musée du vieux Nîmes, 04 66 36 00 64.

• Cathédrale de Saint Castor, in place aux Herbes. City's most appealing museum.

• Musée archéologique, Blvd 13 Amiral Courbet. Columns, mosaics, sculptures, etc.

• Musée des Beaux-arts, Rue de la cité Foulc 20-22. Flemish, Italian, French works as well as Roman Mosaic.

Restaurants

The Grill Courtpaille grill traditional French food, and operate on the Parc Hotelier Ville Active.

Nightlife

Late night bars along Ave Victor Hugo. Lulu is a popular gay bar at 10 Impasse Carutarie, open Tuesday till Saturday from 11 pm.

Lodging

See the Listing of the Hotels in Nimes

Examples :

A beautiful and expensive hotel is The Imperator.

The FUAJ youth hostel has very friendly and informative local staff.

The Holiday Inn, Mercure , Ibis , Kyriad , Nimotel , Balladins and the Hotel Formule 1 are all located in the retail park Parc Hotelier Ville Active, about 30 minutes walk from the town centre (and over the main road from Carrefour hypermarket).

Nearby

• Le Pont du Gard – If you haven't had your fill of roman constructions, this impressive aquaduct is 25km up the A9 from Nimes and clearly signposted from the motorway. In roman times the aquaduct carried water destined for Nimes.