9 Incredible Ancient Roman Sites in France That Will Have You Dreaming of the Roman Empire

Is the Roman Empire on your mind? If so, France should be on your list of must-visit destinations! Having been inhabited by the Romans for many centuries, France became the birthplace of several Roman cities and home to plenty of Roman ruins and artifacts, making it a fantastic place to learn about Roman history outside of Italy. 

From ancient Roman amphitheaters to Roman baths and necropolis, you can find many fascinating Roman ruins across France—including some of the best-preserved ruins in Europe.

So, if you want to know which places in France have traces of Roman antiquity, check out this list!

9 Amazing Roman History Sites in France

1. Pont du Gard

Along River Gardon stands the massive Pont du Gard—one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world and the only example of an ancient three-tier bridge still standing today.

This 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct with three layers and about 64 arches, which was a great achievement at the time, is an excellent example of an ancient architectural masterpiece.

It was built in the first century by the Romans to supply water to their colony, Nemauses (now Nîmes), which was undergoing significant urban development at that time.

This aqueduct used to supply running water all the way from the springs in Uzès to the town’s fountains and spas, as well as to the wealthy people’s residences for over five centuries.

Today, you can walk across the lower levels of this 160-foot-tall (49-meter) bridge and admire the impressive work of a thousand-strong workforce that completed this colossal project in just five years.

Walking past the east side of the bridge will also introduce you to old caves (more like overhangs), which show traces of human habitation from over 19,000 years ago.

2. Nîmes

Nîmes, a small city in southern France, is the country’s hidden gem of Roman antiquity. Dubbed the “French Rome,” it holds so much Roman history, including relics and ruins that date back to the first century when the Romans used the city as the main trade route between Italy and Spain.

Aside from the nearby Pont du Gard, Nîmes boasts several more Roman sights. The most popular one is the Amphitheatre of Nîmes (Arènes de Nîmes), considered the best-preserved Roman arena outside Italy. Like Rome’s Colosseum, it was a venue for gladiator fights and animal hunts.

They also have the first-century Magne Tower (Tour Magne), which was part of the Roman walls and was the lookout point over the Via Domitia—the first Roman road built in Gaul.

Just below it is the first-century Temple of Diana (Temple de Diane), which, oddly enough, was not an actual temple nor associated with Diana but was just a library near the spring sanctuary (at least that is what the archaeologists believe). 

Finally, there’s the Maison Carrée (square house), a well-preserved ancient temple similar to Rome’s Pantheon. Over the years, it has functioned as a temple, church, city hall, art gallery, and now a Roman monument.

3. Arles

Another southern French city known for its Roman history is Arles. Its Roman monuments were built 2,000 years ago when the Romans invaded Provence. Today, these monuments are protected under the UNESCO World Heritage List.

It has its own Arles Amphitheatre (Arènes d’Arles), which used to hold chariot races and gladiator fights. When Barbarians attacked, the people of Arles took refuge and built over 200 houses at the empty center of the arena—many historians believe that this event has helped save the arena from destruction. Today, it holds concerts, bullfights, and community events.

They also have the Roman Theatre of Arles (Le Théâtre Antique) that unfortunately suffered the same fate as many ruins; only two of its columns (called Two Windows), orchestra section, stage area, and semi-circular seating remain today.

Another important Roman sight in the city is the Cryptoporticus, arches built as semi-underground foundations for the Forum, which had been long gone except for its two columns.

Additionally, there are the Alyscamps (Roman necropolis), the Roman Circus (venue for chariot and horse racing; now partially occupied by the Arles Antiquities Museum), the Obelisk (all that remains of the circus), the Baths of Constantine, and a few Roman ramparts.

4. La Turbie

La Turbie is a small town on the French Riviera known for its picturesque setting overlooking Monaco and, of course, for its small share of Roman history. The village got its name from the Latin word “tropaeum,” meaning trophy, referring to the erected monument of Caesar Augustus in town.

The Trophy of Augustus (La Trophée d’Auguste) monument is one of the main attractions in the town. It was built by the Romans around 6 BC to commemorate the victories of the then-Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus, over the tribes of Liguria.

After the Fall of the Roman Empire, this enormous 49-meter-tall (now only 36-meter) monument was destroyed and sacked. And it wasn’t restored until the 1850s.

Today, you can explore the monument by walking from the square base of the ruins all the way to the columns on top. There’s also a small museum in the vicinity that highlights its historical background and features some relics from the monument.

5. Nice

Nice may be famous for its Mediterranean beaches, but little do people know that Nice, particularly the Cimiez neighborhood, was once a Roman city (known as Cemenelum) and home to several Roman ruins.

Although most of it remains buried and unearthed under the current upscale residential neighborhood, there is an area in the town where you can see some traces of Roman antiquities.

On the northern part of the town are the ruins of Roman public baths and amphitheater, which is now an archeological museum (Musée d’Archéologie de Nice). Archeologists believe these ruins date from the first to the seventh century, mainly from the third century.

Aside from traces of Roman baths and portions of the amphitheater, you can find a variety of artifacts at the nearby museum building, such as jewels, pottery, and tools, that were discovered during excavations.

Read More: 24 Incredible Things to Do in Nice

6. Arènes de Lutèce in Paris

If you’re traveling in Paris, you don’t need to go far to see a piece of Roman history. Right at the heart of Paris, in the bustling Latin Quarter, is Arenes de Lutece. It’s an ancient Roman arena that was also used as an amphitheater to hold gladiator fights for over two centuries.

Over the next centuries, it was gradually buried in the ground when it was used as a cemetery and when the construction of the wall of Phillipe Auguste took place. It was only around the 1860s when it was unexpectedly rediscovered when the city sought to build a tramway at the site.

Today, you can visit the ancient Roman arena and explore its remnants, including the arena floor and the remaining sections of its terraced seating, and is an incredible off the beaten path place to visit in Paris.

7. Orange

Orange is a French commune located in southern France, which was also colonized by the Romans in 35 BC and became the place for their soldiers to retire and farm the land. During that time, they built several infrastructures with at least two of them still standing today.

One of these is the Ancient Theatre of Orange (Théâtre antique d’Orange), located in Rhone Valley. It was first built between 10 and 25 AD and had its tier seating restored in the 19th century, making it a world heritage site and one of the best-preserved of all the Great Roman theaters.

King Louis VIX (known as the “Sun King”) even declared it the “finest wall in the kingdom.”  Today, it holds several operas and concerts.

Another Roman monument in the area is the Triumphal Arch, built to honor the Gallic Wars veterans. Over the next centuries, it was used to protect the city. Today, it stands as one of the most interesting and beautiful examples of a triumphal arch in the entire Augustus region.

8. Aix en Provence

Aix en Provence, located in southern France, is known as the “city of a thousand fountains.” (FYI, there are only about 100 fountains in the city today). Everywhere you go, you will find fountains of different sizes and styles, hence the name.

The Romans founded the city and brought water to it via an aqueduct. As soon as they discovered that there was a thermal spring in the area, they immediately installed Roman baths alongside several fountains in Aix en Provence, formerly known as Aquae Sextiae (The Waters of Sextius).

Historically, the locals used the fountains to wash clothes and as drinking fountains for farm animals. Today, they still function as drinking fountains, and some restaurants also use them to cool down wine during the summer months. 

The largest and most famous fountain in the city is the La Rotonde, which acts as the centerpiece of the old town. The fountain at Place d’Hôtel de Ville is also popular for its piece of Roman column taken from Uranus of the Count’s Palace.

9. Bordeaux

Did you know that the wine-growing industry in Bordeaux originally came from the Romans? It started 2,000 years ago when the Romans recognized how good the soil in Bordeaux was for grape growing.

By then, they had established vineyards across the city and cultivated wine for their soldiers. That amazing discovery resulted in Bordeaux and the surrounding villages and countryside becoming one of the most famous wine regions in the world.

Read More: How to Visit Saint Emilion – One of Bordeaux’s Wine Growing Villages

Aside from that, Bordeaux is also famous for its own collection of Roman artifacts. At the heart of the city sits the ruins of Palais Gallien, an ancient Roman amphitheater similar to the ones in Nîmes and Arles.

They also have the UNESCO World Heritage Saint-Seurin Necropolis and archeological site, which has tombs from both Roman and Medieval periods. These tombs contain several artifacts, such as bone combs, ceramics, coins, and glass vials, among others.

Interestingly, the people of Bordeaux continue to randomly discover Roman artifacts throughout the city. One example of it is the Roman tombs and some 300 skeletons under Bordeaux streets, unearthed just a few years ago during road construction projects. You can see many of these Roman relics at Musée d’Aquitaine.

The Wrap Up

If you’re fascinated by the Roman Empire, France should definitely be on your travel list. As you can see, you can find amazing Roman ruins all over the country, from the towering Pont du Gard to the impressive Arènes de Nîmes. All of these spots add so much visual interest and fascinating history to these French cities!