Nîmes, an open-air museum
At the bend of each street Nîmes reveals a little more of its heritage. Little bits of history carefully preserved and which make the city a must for lovers of the Roman era and much more… The municipality has set up the Pass Romanité. A single ticket giving access to four major places containing bribes from local, French and European history1. A precious sesame for a journey through time through the monuments of Nîmes.
The Museum of Romanity to understand the origins of Nîmes
Why not start with the Musée de la Romanité? The latter contains 25 centuries of stories through 5,000 exceptional works. In order to make the visit as immersive as possible, many multimedia devices allow you to discover the wealth of ancient works found in the basements of Nîmes and to understand the influence of Romanism on the territory. The origins of Nîmes are evoked here, going from the Gallic era to the contemporary one. What to discover the influence of Romanity over the centuries.
The visit begins with the remains of a monumental pediment which adorns the central atrium of the museum. Subsequently, the double spiral staircase takes the visitor to the heart of Roman daily life, to discover the city and its inhabitants nearly 2,000 years ago.
The Arena, the emblem of the city
A must-see place in the city, the Arena is the best preserved amphitheater in the Roman world. At the heart of Nîmes life, it still hosts many events today, including concerts throughout the summer. The construction of the building dates from 90 AD. Its first function was already at the time turned towards the entertainment of the population before it subsequently became a refuge for the population in order to face invasions. Self-guided tours are available within it as well as multimedia alcoves dedicated to the history of bullfighting and gladiators.
La Maison Carrée, candidate for UNESCO
The Maison Carrée, whose construction started again in 25 BC under the reign of Philippe Auguste, and was not completed until the year 14 (AD), is a Roman temple intended for the imperial cult in the time of Augustus. The building has just reopened its doors after 9 months of closure for renovation and presents a new scenography. The Maison Carrée is currently a candidate for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. An answer expected in July 2023 which would shed light on this jewel of Ancient Rome, presented as “the beating heart of Nîmes”.
The Tour Magne to gain height
The Tour Magne is the tallest and most prestigious tower of the Roman walls. Its height has only varied over time, initially increasing from 18 to 36 meters. It is now 32 meters high and offers a unique panorama of the city. To get there, you have to cross the Jardins de la Fontaine, another center of life in Nîmes. The Tour Magne has been listed as a monument since 1840. Enough to take a little height on the history of the Gard city.
After a day of sightseeing, there’s nothing better than hitting the road and cooling off in the Gardon gorges. Enough to see the Pont du Gard and continue this journey through history…
Anthony
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- Practical information Pass Romanité: ticket valid for 3 days from the date of purchase. A single ticket to be purchased at any of the four sites and which gives skip-the-line access to the Musée de la Romanité and the Arènes. 17 euros full price.