The City of Nîmes: Roman Ruins, Bullfighting, and Culinary Delights in the South of France
Nîmes is a city in southern France, in the Occitanie region. It is known for its ancient history and many beautifully preserved monuments from the Roman Empire, earning it the nickname “French Rome” and the title of a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Nîmes is located by the Mediterranean Sea.
The city’s population of about 150,000 makes it the 19th largest in France. It has a hot, dry climate with average summer temperatures of around 30°C (86°F), a legacy of its Mediterranean location, as one might expect. But it is not just the weather that is hot. Bullfighting is a living tradition in Nîmes, a reminder of the Romans and a central pillar of local culture.
Emblem
The city's symbol, a crocodile chained to a palm tree, is a constant reminder of Augustus's foundation and the veterans who arrived there. Nîmes, its streets, fountains and monuments, its varied culture, and all its residents are a reminder of Egypt’s influence—and of that symbol carved into the stone. The symbol can be seen on manhole covers carved in stone throughout the city and on the Fountain in the Jardins de la Fontaine.
Many museums and art galleries in Nîmes explore the city’s history and heritage. The Musee de la Romanité is a museum of state-of-the-art design where the history of Nîmes and its Roman origins are told through the presentation of artifacts, multimedia, and interactive displays.
Also noteworthy is the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the other famous museum in Nîmes. The Musée des Beaux-Arts is a museum of paintings from the 16th to the 20th century, on view in a stunning 18th-century mansion. Paintings on display were made by numerous world-famous artists, including Picasso, Renoir, Van Gogh, and many other artists who are still virtually unknown.
Romanity
The Gallic city of Nemausus was founded by the Romans some 2,000 years ago—in the first century BCE—as a military outpost along the Via Domitia, the crucial road connecting Italy to Spain. Over the centuries, Nîmes developed into a thriving hub of trade and culture, and during the Roman period, it gave birth to an impressive number of important buildings and monuments.
Arena
The Impressive Arena of Nîmes is one of the best surviving Roman theatres in the world. Completed at the end of the 1st century AD, during the Emperor's reign, it was built to stage gladiator fights and public spectacles. Bullfights, concerts, and other events still take place there today. Visitors to Nîmes can take a guided tour of the Arena, including the underground passages where gladiators and wild animals were kept before battles.
Arena, Nîmes
Architectural Features
• Size and Seating: The Arena of Nîmes is 133 meters (436 ft) long and 101 meters (330 ft) wide, and its central arena floor is 68 by 38 meters. Its four tiers of seats can accommodate more than 20,000 spectators.
• Design: Even in its crude outline, reflecting the typical Roman level of engineering ingenuity and precision, the arena shows two levels of 60 overlapping arches and a system of vaulted galleries and stairways allowing access and circulation between the different levels so that large crowds could efficiently flow in and out of the arena.
• Historical Significance: The Arena of Nîmes, a testament to the grandeur of Roman architecture and entertainment, has been meticulously preserved and restored over the centuries. Its well-preserved state allows visitors to step back in time and experience the magnificence of the Roman era.
Roman Arena, Nimes, France
Historical Use
• Gladiatorial combats: In Roman times, the arena hosted bloody gladiatorial combats, spectacular hunts with wild animals, and other public spectacles attracting spectators throughout the region. Gladiatorial combats were an integral part of Roman culture and leisure.
• Medieval Fortress: The Visigoths converted the arena into a fortress after the Roman Empire fell. It became a small walled village during the Middle Ages, and the inhabitants lived inside the old arena. Houses and a chapel were even built inside the building.
• Bullfighting and Events: The Arena of Nîmes has been used for bullfighting since the 19th century and is still one of the most critical arenas in France today. The site also hosts concerts, shows, and cultural events, continuing its role as a central public entertainment venue.
Roman Arena, Nimes, France
Modern-Day Attraction
• Cultural Significance: Today, the Arena of Nîmes is among the city’s primary attractions and a testament to Nîmes’s Roman heritage. The arena serves as a site for tours that explore its past, architecture, and place in the community over the centuries.
• Adaptability: The flexibility of the Arena’s function – first as a Roman amphitheater, later a medieval fortress, now host to modern spectacles – testifies to Roman architectural ingenuity's enduring value and ongoing applicability.
Maison Carrée
Another prominent Roman monument is the Maison Carrée, a first-century AD temple in Nîmes built to honor the two sons of Emperor Augustus. The Maison Carrée is widely considered one of France's best examples of Roman architecture. At various times, it served as a church, a municipal archive, and, today, a museum that narrates the history of the building itself.
Castellum Aquae
The Castellum of Nîmes was used to redistribute water from the Eure springs brought in by the aqueduct, whose best-known section is the Pont du Gard. Its flow rate has allowed a supply of 1,400 liters (370 gallons) of water per day per inhabitant (today, we each consume 150 liters daily (40 gallons!). The city’s fountains were served first, followed by public buildings (notably but not exclusively the baths) and some private houses. A threshold was set in case of drought in favor of the most essential uses.
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Gardens
There are also some genuinely delightful gardens and parks to escape the city's heat and activity and enjoy a blue sky. The most famous is the Jardins de la Fontaine, once the first public garden in Europe. It was created in the 18th century around the ruins of old Roman thermal baths and combines the principal characteristics of the French concept of formal gardens with romantic English landscaping. Its fountains, statutes, and flower beds make it an ideal place to stroll, relax, and picnic. It is a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike.
Feria de Nimes
Indeed, the city celebrates its festive spirit with the largest festival in France: the Feria de Nîmes. The Feria de Nîmes is one of the year's most important events, taking place twice in the calendar of Nîmes (June and September) and being visited by thousands of people worldwide.
The Feria has many cultural events and activities in many spaces, such as concerts, art exhibitions, and folkloric and street dancing.
The Feria de Nîmes vibrantly celebrates the city’s rich history and heritage. For those seeking to immerse themselves in the essence of Nîmes, this festival is an unmissable experience.
Bullfight
Nîmes, an incredibly historic town, is especially famous for bullfighting in the Roman style, for which the city’s local culture has been known for several centuries. Bullfights are held in numerous bullrings throughout the city. The most famous is the Arena, where the Feria bullfights occur.
Food
But Nîmes is not only about its past and its culture. It’s also a heaven for foodies: some of its most characteristic dishes are based on Mediterranean and Provencal cuisine. Typical recipes include brandade de morue, a cod dish served with a creamy sauce; "gardianne" beef or bull stew with potatoes and carrots, cooked slow and low; or pélardon, a firm goat cheese, typically produced in the region.
Wines, especially reds, made from surrounding vineyards are also part of the town’s heritage. The flagship appellation is Costières de Nîmes, which produces full-bodied red wines with a fruity palate and peppery finish. Wine bars and restaurants around town, or vineyards themselves, offer tastings and tours of producers.
Overall, Nîmes is a magnificent place, ideal for anybody interested in history and culture. Its Ruins, Museums, and Art of Living – based on the traditions of bullfighting, sunny Provence cuisine, and lifestyle – are well-known worldwide. If you want to get in touch with history, culture, and art, you will find immense wealth in this lovely city. As for the sunny Mediterranean climate and the numerous stunning landscapes, they will undoubtedly satisfy the laziest of us. If you plan your holiday to the sunny south of France, don’t forget to add Nîmes to your itinerary!
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