'''Nimes''' [http://www.ot-nimes.fr] 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.

Get in

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

Get around

See

  • Les Arenes. oman Ampitheatre. lace des Arenes. 4-66-76-77. 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 Carre''', a very well preserved first century Roman temple that would make Nimes 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 Nimes.
  • '''Jardin de la Fontaine''', home of Nimes' 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''' [http://www.arenes-nimes.com/en/nimes/] operate the Arenes de Nimes, Maison Carree and the Tour Magne and offer a combined ticket.
  • The Office de Tourisme [http://www.ot-nimes.fr] 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.

    Do

  • '''Musee du vieux Nimes''', 04 66 36 00 64.
  • '''Cathedrale de Saint Castor''', in place aux Herbes. City's most appealing museum.
  • '''Musee archeologique''', Blvd 13 Amiral Courbet. Columns, mosaics, sculptures, etc.
  • '''Musee des Beaux-arts''', Rue de la cite Foulc 20-22. Flemish, Italian, French works as well as Roman Mosaic.
  • Buy

    Eat

    The Grill Courtpaille [http://www.courtepaille.com ] grill traditional French food, and operate on the Parc Hotelier Ville Active.

    Drink

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

    Sleep

    A beautiful and expensive hotel is The Imperator.

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

    The Holiday Inn [http://www.holidayinn-nimes.com/index_en.htm], Mercure [http://www.mercure.com], Ibis [http://www.ibishotel.com], Kyriad [http://www.hotel-kyriad-nimes.com], Nimotel [http://www.inter-hotel.fr], Balladins [http://www.balladins.com] and the Hotel Formule 1 [http://www.hotelformule1.com] 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).

    Get out

  • '''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.