last edited Apr 27, 2020
What to See in Nîmes
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Location Map of Nîmes
Nîmes
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Overview
Sites, Monuments, and Architectural Ensembles
Nîmes Arena
Built towards the end of the 1st century, this arena is one of the best-preserved from the Roman era. Today, it hosts bullfights as well as various shows and concerts.
Built towards the end of the 1st century, this arena is one of the best-preserved from the Roman era. Today, it hosts bullfights as well as various shows and concerts.
Notre-Dame and Saint-Castor Cathedral
This Romanesque building has undergone numerous architectural changes over the centuries.
This Romanesque building has undergone numerous architectural changes over the centuries.
Maison Carrée
This Roman temple is the city's symbol and the best-preserved of its kind in France. On its paved square, it faces the Carré d'art (contemporary art museum) with a resolutely modern architecture.
This Roman temple is the city's symbol and the best-preserved of its kind in France. On its paved square, it faces the Carré d'art (contemporary art museum) with a resolutely modern architecture.
Temple of Diana
It is located in the Gardens of the Fountain and is one of the city’s main Roman remains.
It is located in the Gardens of the Fountain and is one of the city’s main Roman remains.
Magne Tower
These are the last remnants of the Gallo-Roman ramparts of the city. The tower overlooks the Fountain Gardens on Mont Cavalier, offering a small panoramic view of the city and its surroundings.
These are the last remnants of the Gallo-Roman ramparts of the city. The tower overlooks the Fountain Gardens on Mont Cavalier, offering a small panoramic view of the city and its surroundings.
Museums
Carré d'Art
Opposite the Maison Carrée, this modern building houses the contemporary art museum (with 600 works from 1960 to the present) and the city’s municipal library.
Opposite the Maison Carrée, this modern building houses the contemporary art museum (with 600 works from 1960 to the present) and the city’s municipal library.
Museum of Fine Arts
Founded in the early 19th century, it displays works created between the 14th and 19th centuries by French, Italian, and Flemish painters. It also features a few sculptures and mosaics.
Founded in the early 19th century, it displays works created between the 14th and 19th centuries by French, Italian, and Flemish painters. It also features a few sculptures and mosaics.
Museum of Bullfighting Cultures
Deeply rooted in the region, bullfighting culture has its own museum. Housed in what was once a pawnshop, the museum displays thousands of objects and documents related to bullfighting, its history, traditions—both local and international—as well as Camargue breeding farms, and more.
Deeply rooted in the region, bullfighting culture has its own museum. Housed in what was once a pawnshop, the museum displays thousands of objects and documents related to bullfighting, its history, traditions—both local and international—as well as Camargue breeding farms, and more.
Museum of Roman Times
Opposite the arenas, this museum with its "modern" design opened in 2018. Its aim is "to explain the city’s rich ancient heritage, to inspire the desire to discover it, understand it, and pass it on.".
Opposite the arenas, this museum with its "modern" design opened in 2018. Its aim is "to explain the city’s rich ancient heritage, to inspire the desire to discover it, understand it, and pass it on.".
Old Nîmes Museum
Housed in the former bishop’s palace, it showcases the life, culture, economy, and crafts of Nîmes from the late Middle Ages to the present day.
Housed in the former bishop’s palace, it showcases the life, culture, economy, and crafts of Nîmes from the late Middle Ages to the present day.
Parks and Gardens
Charles de Gaulle Esplanade
In the city centre. A "monumental" space with the Pradier Fountain at its centre, made of white marble in 1851.
In the city centre. A "monumental" space with the Pradier Fountain at its centre, made of white marble in 1851.
Gardens of the Fountain
They were laid out in the 18th century. As well as being a pleasant spot that extends along the Quai de la Fontaine and its shaded canal, the area is home to the Temple of Diana and (on its outskirts) the Tour Magne, two important remains from antiquity.
They were laid out in the 18th century. As well as being a pleasant spot that extends along the Quai de la Fontaine and its shaded canal, the area is home to the Temple of Diana and (on its outskirts) the Tour Magne, two important remains from antiquity.
Nearby
Among the (extensive) selection of interesting sites to see around Nîmes:
Aigues-Mortes
At the gateway to the Camargue, this very beautiful and quite touristy town offers an old center surrounded by medieval ramparts. At its feet lie salt flats that have been exploited since antiquity.
At the gateway to the Camargue, this very beautiful and quite touristy town offers an old center surrounded by medieval ramparts. At its feet lie salt flats that have been exploited since antiquity.
Arles
Thanks to its Roman and Romanesque monuments, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It also hosts many "traditional" Provençal festivals.
Thanks to its Roman and Romanesque monuments, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It also hosts many "traditional" Provençal festivals.
Avignon
The "City of the Popes" and home of the Festival, Avignon is also the prefecture of Vaucluse. Its historic centre, beautiful architecture, and many notable buildings have earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.
The "City of the Popes" and home of the Festival, Avignon is also the prefecture of Vaucluse. Its historic centre, beautiful architecture, and many notable buildings have earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.
Les Baux-de-Provence
Listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France", this perched commune in the Alpilles draws large crowds eager to discover its historical heritage. Les Baux-de-Provence is one of the most visited spots in the PACA region.
Listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France", this perched commune in the Alpilles draws large crowds eager to discover its historical heritage. Les Baux-de-Provence is one of the most visited spots in the PACA region.
Gorges du Gardon
This is a pretty canyon through which the Gardon River flows. The spot is popular for swimming, canoeing, and climbing.
This is a pretty canyon through which the Gardon River flows. The spot is popular for swimming, canoeing, and climbing.
Pont du Gard
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this massive Roman aqueduct is a must-see for tourism in the region.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this massive Roman aqueduct is a must-see for tourism in the region.
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
In the heart of the Alpilles, the town offers visitors beautiful mansions and old streets. The surrounding countryside, which inspired many artists (including Van Gogh), is also well worth discovering.
In the heart of the Alpilles, the town offers visitors beautiful mansions and old streets. The surrounding countryside, which inspired many artists (including Van Gogh), is also well worth discovering.
Additional Information
Must-see & highly recommended
Avignon
★★★★ The "City of the Popes" and home of the Festival, Avignon is also the prefecture of Vaucluse. Its historic centre, beautiful architecture…
Les Baux-de-Provence
★★★★ Listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France", this perched commune in the Alpilles draws large crowds eager to discover its…
Pont du Gard
★★★★ A UNESCO World Heritage site, this massive Roman aqueduct is a must-see for tourism in the region.
Recommended
Aigues-Mortes
★★★ At the gateway to the Camargue, this very beautiful and quite touristy town offers an old center surrounded by medieval ramparts. At its…
Nîmes Arena
★★★ Built towards the end of the 1st century, this arena is one of the best-preserved from the Roman era. Today, it hosts bullfights as well as…
Arles
★★★ Thanks to its Roman and Romanesque monuments, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It also hosts many "traditional" Provençal…
Worth a look / Other
Gorges du Gardon
★★ This is a pretty canyon through which the Gardon River flows. The spot is popular for swimming, canoeing, and climbing.
Fountain Gardens (Nîmes)
★★ They were laid out in the 18th century. As well as being a pleasant spot that extends along the Quai de la Fontaine and its shaded canal…
Maison Carrée
★★ This Roman temple is the city's symbol and the best-preserved of its kind in France. On its paved square, it faces the Carré d'art…
Museum of Roman Times (Nîmes)
★★ Opposite the arenas, this museum with its "modern" design opened in 2018. Its aim is "to explain the city’s rich ancient heritage, to…
Museum of Bullfighting Cultures
★★ Deeply rooted in the region, bullfighting culture has its own museum. Housed in what was once a pawnshop, the museum displays thousands of…
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
★★ In the heart of the Alpilles, the town offers visitors beautiful mansions and old streets. The surrounding countryside, which inspired many…
Uzès
★★ This small town in the northern part of the department has a charming, well-preserved centre.
Carré d'Art
★ Opposite the Maison Carrée, this modern building houses the contemporary art museum (with 600 works from 1960 to the present) and the…
Notre-Dame and Saint-Castor Cathedral
★ This Romanesque building has undergone numerous architectural changes over the centuries.
Charles de Gaulle Esplanade
★ In the city centre. A "monumental" space with the Pradier Fountain at its centre, made of white marble in 1851.
Fine Arts Museum (Nîmes)
★ Founded in the early 19th century, it displays works created between the 14th and 19th centuries by French, Italian, and Flemish painters…
Old Nîmes Museum
★ Housed in the former bishop’s palace, it showcases the life, culture, economy, and crafts of Nîmes from the late Middle Ages to the…
Natural History Museum (Nîmes)
★ It houses collections in zoology, local prehistory, ethnology, and geology.
Temple of Diana (Nîmes)
★ It is located in the Gardens of the Fountain and is one of the city’s main Roman remains.
Magne Tower
★ These are the last remnants of the Gallo-Roman ramparts of the city. The tower overlooks the Fountain Gardens on Mont Cavalier, offering a…