Nimes is a very popular tourist destination due to the Roman influence on the city and so booking car hire in Nimes should be done in advance. That way you can get exactly the vehicle you want at a low price before availability runs out.
The Tour Magne is one of the main tourist attractions in Nimes while the Roman amphitheatre is considered to be the best preserved such structure in the whole of France. Having been built between the 1st and 2nd century AD, it is still being used today for concerts and even bull fighting.
Nimes Mini Guide
Nimes was one of the richest and finest Roman cities in ancient Gaul. It was situated on the main road between Spain and Italy called the Via Domitia.
The perfect place to start is at the largest Roman structure Les Arenes. The Roman Amphitheatre is in the shape of an ellipse. The arena is still used today for bull fighting and concerts.
A short distance from the arena is La Maison Carre. This is a spectacular and well preserved temple that was dedicated to the sons of Agrippa. The temple dates back to the 19 BC. There is a film that you can watch inside that tells you the history of Nimes. There is a beautiful area that was built in the 18th Century called the Jardins de la Fontaine. This is a nice and quiet area to relax in.
A short drive in your Nimes hire car and you will encounter the magnificent Pont du Gard. This is an aqueduct that is used to carry water across the Gardon River valley. The aqueduct was built by Agrippa and is still very well preserved today. There are the remains of a Roman Tower on Mont Cavalier.
Nimes is not all about Roman monuments and there is a beautiful cathedral dedicated to Saint Castor de Apt. There is also the Musee des Beaux-arts de Nimes which is well worth a look.
The town has several long tree lined boulevards that stretch around the former city walls. The road leading from the centre of town to the railway station is one such example and it is really very beautiful.
The town's symbol is of a crocodile chained to a palm tree and it reflects the tradition of the Romans. The inscription is COLNEM which means colony of Nemausus who's Legionnaires were given plots of land after their 15 year service.
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