With its Arena and Maison Carrée, the capital of the Gard takes pride in possessing some of the finest Roman remains in Southern France. From the “bread and games” dear to the disciples of Caesar to the uninhibited gaiety of the modern “ferias”, having fun is till what the people of Nîmes do best!
Nîmes is known as the “white” city, but it somewhat betrays its name. As a traditional Southern town, it is more like a kaleidoscope of colours, scents and smells, and there are no half-measures. The calm visitor comes for the southern mood, the Provençal-Languedocian style and the Roman remains. The “party-goer” comes to experience the crazy atmosphere of the “ferias”, which set the city alight and break away from all the usual codes of social behaviour.
The city was founded by Emperor Augustus. Situated on the Via Domitia linking Spain to Rome, Nemausus prospered through trade. The emperor built the city in his own image, beautiful and radiant. The Arena was built between 50 and 100 A.D. and used for gladiatorial combat. Though not the largest in the Empire, it is one of the best preserved in the Roman world.
The nearby Maison Carrée, a small building inspired by the architecture of the Temple of Apollo in Rome, was built at the beginning of the Christian era. It is dedicated to Augustus’ adopted sons, Caius and Lucius Caesar. A walk around old Nîmes allows the tourist to combine these remains with the discovery of an urban heritage that is less well known than elsewhere but just as authentic: Rue Fresque, Tour de l’Horloge, Place aux Herbes, Place du Marché, Notre-Dame-and-Saint-Castor Cathedral ... And to admire some of the tasteful new buildings and renovations: the Carré d’Art, of course, and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts or the Littré Block.
As for the “ferias”, they merely intensify the city’s Southern character. The Whitsuntide Féria is the most famous: for five days, “corridas” and “bodegas” are in full swing, fino and sangria flow like water, “bandas” and brass bands try to outdo each other for stamina and the bulls are let out to run through the streets. Nîmes has fire in its blood...
