NÎMES - PONT DU GARD - UZÈS
Ancient Rome in France
Why visit Nîmes, the Pont du Gard and Uzès?
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Nîmes, French Rome and its amazing monuments.
- An ancient city where contemporary architecture takes pride of place.
- The UNESCO World Heritage site Pont du Gard which is also a French Grand Site.
- Uzès, Ville d’Art et d’Histoire.
MUST-DOS IN NÎMES
Visit the Arenas and Maison Carrée
Gladiators, 23,000 spectators, show-stopping spectacles. That live on. The arenas in Nîmes (70BC) are the best preserved from Ancient Roman times. They still host festivals such as the Féria de Nîmes and famous Great Roman Games.
As you walk up Boulevard Victor Hugo you'll be blown away by the Maison Carrée: the only Ancient Roman temple to be entirely untouched. It was built in honour of Gaius Caesar and Lucius Caesar, the adopted grandon and son of Emperor Augustus.
Arenes and Maison Carrée open all year. You can also gaze at them from the café terraces on the square redesigned by the architect Lord Norman Foster. He is also behind the staggering Carré d’Art, the contemporary art museum in Nîmes.
Opposite the arenas, the Musée de la Romanité is a feast for the senses with its highly contemporary architecture and its way of plunging you into the history of Nîmes. The restaurant, grounds and panoramic city views are the cherry on the cake.
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CONTINUE YOUR VOYAGE IN ROME
In the Jardins de la Fontaine
This go-to park is where locals love to linger: the Jardins de la Fontaine was one of the first public parks in Europe. It was built around Gallo-Roman relics (the temple of Diana) in the 18th century. Tackle the steep part of the park to climb up to Tour Magne, the last remnant of the Roman walls. The tower stands at the highest point of the city, Mont Cavalier. The views are fantastic from the top of the 32m tower.
Top events: the Férias de Nîmes. The city is alive with Hispanic energy in the form of corridas, abrivados, parades and Sevillian dances for 5 days at Pentecost and 3 days in September.
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PONT DU GARD
Heritage of Humanity
35 mins north-east of Nîmes, the first time you see the Pont du Gard is a shock to the system. The 3-storey Roman aqueduct is the last one standing today. The 275m bridge is also the tallest in the world (49m). This impressive structure was listed by UNESCO in 1985 and was part of a 50km aqueduct: this one supplied Nemausus (Nîmes) with water for 5 centuries! Plan to spend at least half a day to see all the monument and visitor areas: archaeological museum covering 2500 m2, cinema area, exhibitions, workshops etc.
A NATURAL HAVEN
Spend the day beneath the Pont du Gard
The Pont du Gard lies in the heart of 165 hectares of unspoilt nature: there's a perimeter to protect both the site and the many species of plants and animals living here: Bonelli's eagles, herons, Eurasian eagle owls and beavers nest on the edge of the monument. In summer you can bask on the beaches 200m from the bridge and swim in the Gardon (play area and lifeguards in summer).
Take the family on the Mémoire de garrigue trail: 1.4km through the vineyards, olive trees and green oaks.
"Le Pont du Gard, mon lieu de prédilection pour passer une journée en famille !" : Martine, notre experte Tourisme Gard, connaît ce grand site comme sa poche et vous indique tout ce qui est à voir et à faire pour transformer votre visite au Pont du Gard en expérience inoubliable.
De mi-mai à fin août, à tombée de nuit, le Pont du Gard s’illumine et révèle toute la beauté de son architecture antique, grâce à de magnifiques jeux de lumière.
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UZÈS
French flair
Soak up Southern French style in France's first Duchy, Uzès. Approved as a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire, visitors flock to Uzès to see its stunning Duke's Château (Duchy) watched over by 3 tall towers. Don't miss its cathedral next to a Lombardy-style belfry. Then enjoy wandering around the medieval lanes peppered with Renaissance mansions, cafés, shops and boutiques.
Set your alarm on Saturday to make the most of the region's acclaimed boho chic market on Place aux Herbes.
Not just for kids! Whilst in Uzès stop at Haribo Museum to learn about the famous sweet brand's past and the Uzès family behind it.
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Our selection
LA MAISON DE LEONIE
Nestled in the heart of the charming village of Collias in Les Gorges du Gardon, La Maison de Léonie opens its doors to...
LA MAISON D'UZÈS*****
La Maison d’Uzès sits perfectly in the center of this glorious town of “Ucetia”. Behind its emblematic and noble facade...
Longitude: 4.358360000000
Nîmes is located in Eastern Occitania in the Gard department.
- By car: on the A9 motorway (junction 24).
- By plane: from Nîmes Alès Camargue Cévennes Airport (12km from Nîmes), flights from London and Charleroi in Belgium. From Montpellier International Airport (50km away).
- By train: Nîmes train station is in the city centre; you can take a TGV from Paris in under 3 hours.