14 Fascinating Things to Do in Nîmes, The “French Rome” of Southern France
Nîmes is a fascinating city in the Occitanie region of southern France, often referred to as the “French Rome” due to its prosperous and prominant position in the empire. Indeed, it is one of the best places to see Roman history in France.
The city is home to three major Roman monuments, the Arena, Maison Carrée, and Tour Magne, all of which are incredibly well-preserved and offer a glimpse into ancient life.
Beyond these iconic landmarks, Nîmes is sprinkled with smaller Roman remnants, making it a delight for history lovers and showcasing a remarkable Roman heritage.
But Nîmes isn’t just about its ancient past. The city itself is beautifully designed, with tree-lined esplanades, charming squares, and historic architecture. We were so pleasantly surprised by just how much we enjoyed exploring Nimes and think it’s a great place to visit in Occitanie.
These are some of the best things to do and see during your visit to Nîmes.
14 Fascinating Things to Do in Nîmes
1. Arena of Nîmes
The Arena of Nîmes, built at the end of the 1st century AD, is one of the most impressive and best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world.
It ranks as the 30th biggest of over 200 known Roman arenas and could hold up to 24,000 spectators. Incredibly, it still functions today as a venue for concerts, bull games, and other events.
In its early days, the arena hosted gladiatorial contests, wild animal hunts, and executions. A typical event started with animals fighting, followed by staged hunts, prisoners being fed to beasts, and concluding with gladiator battles.
Contrary to popular belief, the goal wasn’t always death—gladiators fought with skill and ferocity to entertain the crowd, much like modern sports.
The arena has had a fascinating evolution. In the 6th century, it was transformed into a fortress during barbarian invasions, and by the Middle Ages, it became a mini village with houses and shops inside. This continued until the 1800s, when restoration efforts began to return the arena to its former glory.
During Your visit
Visitors can explore the entire arena, including the stands, the tunnels, and even go down onto the sand (interestingly, “arena” means “sand” in Latin). There’s a really great audio guide tour included in your ticket, which, while a bit cheesy, provides interesting insights.
We also really enjoyed reading the informational placards in the arena halls about details of gladiatorial culture, including the different types of gladiators and their combat styles.
In front of the arena, you’ll find a statue dedicated to bullfighters, as Nîmes is considered the “French Madrid” for its annual bullfights. These include both the traditional Spanish style and the Provençal style.
Tickets
If you’re planning to visit, I’d recommend buying the Pass Nîmes, which includes entry to the 3 Roman monuments in Nimes (the Arena, the Tour Magne, and the Maison Carrée), or the Pass Romanité, which adds access to the Musée de la Romanité. Both can be purchased at the arena or museum.
2. Maison Carreé
The Maison Carrée, built between 2–4 AD, is an incredible Roman temple and one of the best-preserved from antiquity. It originally stood on Nîmes’ Roman Forum and was dedicated to two young members of the imperial family who passed away, tying them symbolically to the mythological god twins Castor and Pollux.
The temple is designed in the Corinthian style, with its elegant columns and detailed carvings showcasing classic Roman architecture. While the outside is incredibly striking, the inside is simple and honestly quite plain, with exhibits on the temple’s history and its role in Roman Nîmes.
Interestingly, the Maison Carrée once held a fine arts collection, which must have been amazing to see. Though those pieces are long gone, visiting the temple is still a fantastic way to learn about Nîmes’ past and admire how remarkably well it has stood the test of time.
3. Tour Magne
The final Roman monument in Nîmes is the Tour Magne. Built between 16–15 BC, its the last remaining tower of the 80 that once fortified Nîmes’ city walls.
It’s 36 meters (118 feet) tall, but originally was even higher, with an additional story that has since been lost. The tower also suffered partial demolition in the past due to a misinterpretation of a text by Nicodemus, which led people to believe treasure was hidden underneath.
Today, the interior has been reinforced, and you can climb to the top for stunning panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside. Its high location on Mont Cavalier makes it one of the best vantage points in Nîmes.
Inside, there’s also a small exhibit with historical details, including the story of coins minted in the city during Roman times.
4. Jardin de la Fontaine
The Jardin de la Fontaine is a beautiful and tranquil park built around one of Nîmes’ primary water sources. The park features waterways, ponds, fountains, and charming stone bridges, all surrounded by lush trees, colorful flower displays, and walkways that wind up the hill toward the Tour Magne.
Within the garden, you’ll also find the Temple of Diana, a partially ruined yet very charming temple, though likely misnamed. While it’s traditionally linked to the goddess Diana, historians believe it was actually dedicated to the imperial cult, like the Maison Carrée was.
I loved wandering through this garden—the combination of water features, greenery, and walking paths made it one of the most relaxing and picturesque spots in Nîmes.
- Hours: 9am-6pm
5. Historic City Gates
In its prime, Nîmes was surrounded by massive walls—among the largest in Roman Gaul. These fortifications, constructed at the beginning of the 1st century AD, stretched 6 kilometers, included nearly 80 towers, and had 10 grand gates.
Though they weren’t truly necessary during the peace of the Pax Romana, the walls served as a symbol of the city’s status and favor from the emperor.
Today, most of the walls are gone, but three gates and the Tour Magne still remain. The Port de France, part of the original Roman wall, features a single arch, with remnants of its old portcullis still visible. It’s a simple design but interesting to see.
Another preserved gate is the Porte d’Auguste, located on the historic Via Domitia, the ancient Roman road. While you can’t walk through this gate anymore, the surrounding garden area with statues is charming.
6. Musée de la Romanité
The Roman Museum in Nîmes houses over 5,000 artifacts, including impressive busts, statues, and mosaics. The museum is relatively new and designed to be interactive, guiding visitors through different periods of history.
To be honest, we felt that the layout was a little confusing and the museum was not quite as cohesive as we would have liked, but there were still plenty of fascinating pieces to discover.
My favorite feature was undoubtedly the mosaics, which are beautifully preserved and offer a vivid glimpse into life in ancient Nîmes.
The museum, located right next to the Arena, provides valuable context about Roman life and culture in Nimes, helping to “fill in the gaps” between its major monuments.
- Hours: 10am-7pm
7. Fountain Pradier
The Fountain Pradier is a striking centerpiece in the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle, dedicated to Nemausus, the goddess of the spring and the namesake of Nîmes.
At its center is a statue of a young woman representing the city of Nîmes, standing gracefully in the center. Surrounding her are four smaller statues, each symbolizing one of the region’s rivers.
From the square, a charming, tree-lined pedestrian promenade leads toward the train station. Flanked by a small stream on either side, this pathway is a picturesque and peaceful walk through the heart of the city. We we really surprised by how pretty this square was.
8. Église of St. Perpétue and Félicité
The Church of St. Perpétue and Félicité, located just off the Charles de Gaulle Esplanade, is a striking church with a mix of Gothic, Romanesque, and Byzantine architectural styles. I especially liked the façade, which has so many unique details to admire.
Interestingly, three architects worked on its design, each bringing their own vision to the table. But unlike the Star Wars sequels, these differing visions actually form a uniquely cohesive look and charming character.
9. Museum of Old Nimes
This museum highlights the history of Nîmes, including its once-thriving fabric industry. Fun fact: denim originated here, with the name “denim” coming from de Nîmes, which means “from Nîmes” in French.
Unfortunately, the museum doesn’t dive very deep into this fascinating connection, but it does feature some exhibits related to wool, silk, and jean production—industries that once brought great prosperity to the city, particularly silk.
Beyond textiles, the museum also displays antique furniture pieces and tools, including old looms. It’s an eclectic mix, offering a glimpse into the city’s craftsmanship and industrial history.
Just behind the museum is a small but pretty garden to stroll through.
- Hours: 10am-6pm
- Cost: €5
10. Cathedrale de Nîmes
Located right next to the Museum of Old Nimes, the Nîmes Cathédral stands out with its distinctive uneven bell towers. Dedicated to Saint Castor of Apt, the cathedral dates back to 1096, making it one of the city’s oldest landmarks.
The architecture is primarily Romanesque, but you’ll notice Gothic elements woven throughout, reflecting its centuries of history.
11. Crocodile Fountain
Located in the small and charming Place du Marché, this fountain is surrounded by palm trees and lined with cozy cafés. At its center, a crocodile wraps around a column, which may have once been styled as a stone palm tree.
The crocodile and palm tree are the symbols of Nîmes, chosen to commemorate Rome’s victory over Egypt in 31 BC. If you look closely, you’ll notice the crocodile is chained, symbolizing Egypt’s defeat.
12. Castellum Aquae
The Castellum Aquae is where the aqueduct from Uzès (which includes the famous Pont du Gard) ended and distributed water throughout Nîmes. This small, circular stone basin had ten lead pipes leading out, which carried water to fountains, baths, and homes across the city.
It’s amazing to see how advanced the Romans were with their water systems, and this site gives you a glimpse into how the city functioned 2,000 years ago.
13. Place de l’Horlage
Place de l’Horloge is a narrow square in Nîmes known for its historic clock tower. The tower, originally built over 500 years ago, was reconstructed in the 1700s and continues to be a standout feature of the square. Cafes fill the square, making it a small yet picturesque spot in Nîmes.
14. Eglise St. Paul
Église Saint-Paul is a relatively recent addition to Nîmes, built in 1849 as the first example of neomedieval architecture in the city. Its Romanesque-Byzantine style gives it a distinctive look, with beautiful frescoes and striking blue ceilings decorating the interior.
One of its unique features is the bell tower, which is located at the back of the church rather than the front—a rare design choice. This church’s combination of architectural charm and artistic details makes it a lovely stop for anyone exploring Nîmes.
- Hours: 3pm-7pm
Map of Attractions in Nîmes
How Many Days Do You Need in Nîmes?
You can do everything on this list with one day in Nîmes. I think one day is plenty of time to see the sites and take in the vibe of the city.
Where Else to Visit After Nîmes
There are a lot of other great cities and villages to visit around Nîmes – here are some ideas!
First, if you want to continue exploring Occitanie, Toulouse, the capital of the region is three hours away and a autiful city. Carcassonne, a Medieval walled city, is a fascinating historical site in France and only 2 hours away. Albi is one of my favorite hidden gem French cities and is also about 3 hours away. Pont du Gard, a famous Roman aqueduct, is just 30 minutes away.
Although Nîmesis part of Occitanie, it’s right on the border of Provence and many Provencal cities are very easy to visit and only 30-60 minutes from Nîmes. Don’t miss Arles for more Roman history or Avignon for the famous Palace of the Popes.
Aix-en-Provence is my favorite city in the region, and Gordes, Roussillon, and Les Baux de Provence are 3 charming perched villages you shouldn’t miss.
Basically there is no end of amazing places to visit in Southern France!
The Wrap Up
Nîmes truly was delightful. We were surprised by just how much we enjoyed the city and would go back in a heartbeat. It’s the type of place you want to explore again and show to someone else – to get their fresh take on it.
Between the amazing ruins, the rich history, and just general beauty of the city, Nîmes definitely deserves a spot on your Southern France itinerary.
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