Nîmes is a commune in the south-east of France,
prefecture of the Gard department in Occitan region. Located between
the Mediterranean Sea and the Cévennes mountains , the city is on
the busy axis connecting the lower Rhone valley to the Languedoc
plain . With a population of 151,001 inhabitants 1st January 2016,
the city of Nîmes knows during the summer period a notable influx of
tourists come to visit its monuments and participate in its ferias
and festivals.
The foundation of Nîmes dates back to antiquity. From the Roman
period , Nîmes preserves monuments such as arenas , the Maison
Carrée or the Magne tower at the foot of which is the site of the
sanctuary of the fountain . This rich ancient past earned him the
nickname "French Rome". City both Roman, Camargue , Cévennes,
Languedoc, Provence and Hispanic stronghold protesting since the xvi
th century and center fabric production from the xviii th century,
including the famous denim canvas, Nîmes has a rich culture and
history and remains a city with a strong identity.
The enhancement of its historical, cultural and architectural
heritage has enabled the city to obtain the label of City of Art and
History . Since 2012 , date of registration on the French indicative
list , Nimes working its bid on "Nimes, Antiquity to the Present"
for the registration of the two thousand year old city at the World
Heritage of UNESCO.
Plane
Many daily services connect the Roman city to
Paris and other European cities, low-cost companies are also present on
these relations.
Nîmes-Garons Airport (IATA: FNI,
Nîmes-Alès-Camargue-Cévennes Airport) 30800 Saint-Gilles, +33 4 66 70 49
49, fax: +33 4 66 70 91 24
Train
Nîmes station – At the
crossroads of several railway lines, and high above the streets, Nîmes
station is served by high-speed and conventional trains.
TGV: it
is possible to get to Nîmes by high-speed lines mainly from Paris and
the North of France. The frequencies are high enough, which makes this
mode of movement very flexible. Another advantage: Nîmes station is
located not far from the terminal branch of the TGV line.
Intercités:
the other towns in the South of France are very well connected thanks to
an efficient network even if it sometimes suffers from last minute
delays (trains to Bordeaux, Toulouse, Montpellier, Marseille, but also
Clermont-Ferrand).
TER Languedoc-Roussillon: for those who are
closer, several lines allow you to reach Nîmes both by train and by
coach depending on your origin (destinations: Le Grau-du-Roi,
Montpellier, Narbonne, Toulouse, Alès, Mende, and outside the region,
Avignon, Arles, Marseille).
Car
It is possible to reach Nîmes
by the A9 motorways if you come from Montpellier or the Rhône valley (A7
- Lyon) and A54 if you come from Provence (Arles, Marseille). National
roads also converge on this city, especially from the Cévennes and the
Massif Central, namely national road 106 with a 2×2 lane section.
By coach
EdGard – Many companies provide service to and from
Nîmes at any time of the day. Timetables and fares are available on
request at the bus station counter (behind the SNCF station, etc.) but
also from coach drivers.
Car
Notice to fans of the individual car: the
traffic plan in the city center is being completely restructured and in
the near future, cars may well no longer be welcome there. Normal,
fights against automobile decongestion and pollution oblige!
Bus
A network of 11 urban lines (classified from A to L) then suburban lines
(classified with numbers) whose frequency of passages are variable
(between 10 and 30 min) serve all the districts and curiosities of
Nîmes. It must be said that most museums and monuments are almost all
located in the city center, so the bus will only be useful at most to
leave or reach your hotel. However, it is possible to obtain tickets
valid on the whole network either for the day (3 €) or for two
consecutive days (6 €).
It is important to note that most lines
do not pass the city center during ferias, a large-scale diversion
system being put in place. Maps are displayed at the bus stops in the
city center and at the SNCF station, but you can also ask the
controllers and drivers for directions.
In addition, a new
network of high-level service lines should appear in 2011, with the
possibility of parking your vehicle in a park and ride facility or
renting a bicycle.
Bike
Nîmes is not yet sufficiently equipped
with cycle paths, but things should change in the next few years
following the renovation of infrastructure in the city centre. However,
cycling is quite possible, because the variable topography of the places
means that everyone will find something for themselves.
Walk
It is of course possible (and even recommended...) to discover the
historic center of the city on foot. All the curiosities are gathered in
a rather restricted perimeter, which allows a multiple visit without
exhausting oneself. It should be noted that the practice of
rollerblading can be a good option for its amateurs.
By tram'bus
If you don't want to venture into Nîmes by car, you can very well park
in one of the park and ride facilities (Parnasse and A54 motorway) and
take line T1 of the first Tram'bus designed in 2012. tram'bus benefits
from a circulation almost in its own lane and from priority at
crossroads on the model of tram lines, in fact it allows a connection
between the Nîmes-centre motorway exit and the arenas in 12 minutes
knowing that they pass every 5 to 08 min on average.
This
tram'bus serves 9 stations: A54 Caissargues, Mas de Vignolles,
Costières-Parnasse, Nemausa swimming pool, Liberté, Camargue, Dhuoda
high school, Montcalm and finally the arenas. It is a practical and
quick way to get around the city center of Nîmes, which is often subject
to traffic jams.
The vehicles have 135 seats including 29 seated,
4 seats for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM), 2 places for
wheelchairs. There are also surveillance cameras inside as well as
screens with the line plan but also sound announcements.
Tram'bus
TANGO388 avenue Robert Bompard, +33 970 818 638 (free number): Mon.-
Wed.: 5:20 a.m. - 10 p.m., Thu.- Sat.: 5:20 a.m. - 12:40 a.m., Sun: 7
a.m. - 10 p.m. €1.6 for 1 hour. – Inaccessible Wi-Fi network Access
limited to people with reduced mobility. If you don't want to venture
into Nîmes by car, you can park in one of the park and ride car parks
(Parnasse and the A54 motorway) and take line T1 of the first Tram'bus
designed in 2012. tram'bus benefits from a circulation almost in its own
lane and from priority at crossroads on the model of tram lines, in fact
it allows a connection between the Nîmes-centre motorway exit and the
arenas in 12 minutes knowing that they pass every 07 min on average.
This tram'bus serves 9 stations: A54 Caissargues, Mas de Vignolles,
Costières-Parnasse, Nemausa swimming pool, Liberté, Camargue, Dhuoda
high school, Montcalm and finally the arenas. It is a practical and
quick way to get around the city center of Nîmes, which is often subject
to traffic jams. The vehicles have 135 seats including 29 seated, 4
seats for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM), 2 places for wheelchairs.
There are also surveillance cameras inside as well as screens with the
line plan but also sound announcements.
Nîmes is one of the richest French cities in monuments
classified or registered as historical monuments. From several eras,
since antiquity, they are not all open to the public. See the complete
list: List of historic monuments in Nîmes
Roman Nimes
1 Arènes
de Nîmes – It is possible to buy a pass to visit the arenas, the square
house and the Magne tower at the same time . One of the best preserved
amphitheaters in the world. Dating from the end of the 1st century AD,
they illustrate the degree of perfection achieved by Roman engineers for
the design and construction of this type of building. The Arenas can be
visited every day (closed Pentecost and the Harvest) with an audio guide
offered in several languages. A space devoted to bullfighting and
another devoted to gladiatorship have been set up in the alcoes which
are located under the arcades.
2 La Maison Carrée – Monument
classified or listed as a historical monument in France Roman temple
built at the request of the Emperor Augustus, in honor of his two
grandsons.
3 The Magne tower – Monument classified or registered as a
historical monument in France Located on a hill overlooking the city,
panoramic view of Nîmes. Roman tower, it dates from the time of Emperor
Augustus. It is only 32 meters high.
4 Porte Auguste (Porte d'Arles)
– Monument classified or registered as a historical monument in France
This old city gate was part of the surrounding wall of Nîmes, in Roman
times
5 Castellum divisorium of Nîmes (Roman water tower) –
Monument classified or registered as a historical monument in France
This is the point of arrival of the Nîmes aqueduct, this place serving
as a watershed zone for distribution through the city.
6 Jardins de
la fontaine – Monument classified or registered as a historic monument
in France Logo indicating that the place is a remarkable garden The
first developments in this garden date from the Roman period, around the
Tour Magne.
Other eras
7 Cathedral of
Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Castor de Nîmes – Monument classified or registered
as a historical monument in France Cathedral of Provençal Romanesque
art, it was consecrated by Pope Urban II.
8 Fontaine Pradier –
Monument classified or registered as a historical monument in France
Located in the most central square of Nîmes, between the SNCF station
and the arenas , this monumental fountain was designed by sculptor James
Pradier.
9 Saint-Paul de Nîmes church – Monument classified or
registered as a historical monument in France This church dates from the
middle of the 19th century.
Museums
10 Muséum d'histoire
naturelle
11 Musée de la Romanité 16 Boulevard des Arènes, +33 4 48
210210 opening hours Mon.-Sun.: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Prices for self-guided
visits - adult: €8, between 7 and 17 years old: €3, under 7 years old:
free; guided tours - adult: €12, between 7 and 17 years old: €6, under 7
years old: free.
Two major festivals exist each year in Nîmes:
Féria de Pentecôte:
as its name suggests, it is mainly organized during the weekend but
begins a few days before (Wednesday or Thursday in general...). The
pégoulade (big costumed parade...) inaugurates this festivity followed
the following days by bullfights and the release of bulls in the
streets.
For those with rather rambunctious and disinterested
children, a carousel fair is usually held on Avenue Jean Jaurès (the
widest in the city...) with various stalls selling fries and paella. For
the latter, it is nevertheless necessary to ensure hygiene, because many
problems of food poisoning have been reported and duly noted, especially
in recent years... Yes, yes!!!
Another important point of this
festivity: the stands and outlets of the famous "sangria" are extremely
numerous in the city during this event, also at very late hours of the
night it happens that some tipsy people who are initially happy suddenly
become aggressive ( without anyone really knowing why...) towards their
interlocutors. It is advisable in such situations to stay away in case
of an argument and even more so if someone tries to involve you,
otherwise you risk ending the party in the emergency department and then
being held at the police station. city.
Needless to say that it
is particularly complicated to seek to park your vehicle in town during
the feria. Anyway, the pound is very active at this time and does not
hesitate to remove any vehicle that gets in the way in one way or
another. Regular shuttles are provided free of charge by the company
which provides regular services to the Nîmes urban area, the journeys
are mainly between the entrance to the city where park and rides are
planned and the city center (where the party begins ...). It works
excellently!
To make the party really one, apply these few basic
tips and at the right time!
Féria des Vendanges: held during the
month of September but remains strictly limited to one weekend.
University of Nîmes, rue du Docteur Georges Salan – The latest of the French universities.
Markets
The markets in the south of France are generally very
lively and bustling, frequented by both locals and tourists. The city of
Nîmes has several:
1 Les Halles de Nîmes, Rue Général Perrier,
Logo indicating a telephone number +33 466215249, fax: +33 466215249,
email: halles@ville-nimes.fr Logo indicating opening hours every day. -
Covered market. The halls of Nîmes date from 1884, in the style of
Baltard halls.
2 Beausoleil Market 5c rue Guynemer – All shops.
3
West Nîmes Market – All shops.
4 Valdegour Market – All shops.
5
Chemin bas d'Avignon market – All shops.
6 Jean Jaurès market –
farmers market and flea markets
7 Mas de Mingue Market – Vegetables,
bazaars and groceries
8 Costières stadium market, opening times every
Monday. – Flowers and textiles
Brandade is the specialty par excellence and the BRANDADE RAYMOND
factory is the best known. Many of its shops are downtown.
Countless stands and mini-shops are located in the city center and also
in more outlying areas, serving snacks. The kebabs are more and more
numerous and have made their reputation during the ferias over the
years, which will certainly delight fans of oriental cuisine.
For
people in a hurry and completely carefree, restaurants of the
"fast-food" type are located in the city and near the Boulevard
Périphérique Sud in quite a large number. Something else ?...
1
La Locanda 12 rue de la maison Carrée, telephone number +33 4 11 83 34
67, prices from 8€ to 18€. – Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
Good Addresses:
2 Le Ganesh 32 rue Porte de France – For those who
wish to discover Indian cuisine, in a very cozy setting with a discreet
music scene close to customers, head to Le Ganesh. The food is delicious
and the prices affordable. Change of scenery guaranteed. However, the
restaurant being very small, in other words, it is more than necessary
to book or to show up before the rush hours.
3 Le Hànội 1 place
Saint-Charles – For lovers of Vietnamese cuisine. Delicious dishes and
soups of unimaginable pleasure. It's not very expensive and you can take
it away.
Drinking places: As in most towns in the region, many bars and cafes
are spread throughout the town. Despite still heavy car traffic on the
boulevards, you always enjoy sitting out on the terrace to sip your
favorite drink or your warming coffee and, why not, a plate of hot
dishes. Even on Avenue Jean Jaurès (the one that starts from the Jardins
de la Fontaine...) you can take a break in one of the many
establishments which have also acquired a reputation with the
population. Everyone here will tell you...
Good addresses:
1
O'Flaherty's 21 Boulevard Amiral Courbet – For beer lovers. Specialist
in Ireland, he will know how to make you travel. In addition to the
range of beers offered, you can enjoy a young and Nîmes atmosphere.
2
L'Instant-T, 2 rue Racine (behind the Carré d'Art), +33 4 66 21 79 93 –
Less a pub than a beer bar, this is a pleasant place with a relaxed and
young crowd. Beer from the garrigues on tap, and plates of charcuterie.
And weekend concerts.
3 Prolé 20 rue Jean Reboul (a stone's throw
from the Arènes), +33 4 66 21 67 23 – Community café of the Communist
Party, the room does not look like much, but you absolutely have to take
advantage of the shade of its two mulberry trees.
4 El Cuba Libre , 5
rue Jean Reboul, +33 4 66 28 92 32 – For those who prefer to stay in a
caliente atmosphere, the owners of this bar are very welcoming and will
not fail to guide you in the choice you will have to do from a long list
of cocktails. The Pink Frozen or the essential Mojito will not fail to
give a sunny touch to your evening.
Cinema: there are a few
cinemas still present in the city center: Le Sémaphore (25, Rue Porte de
France (it's next to the Ganesh, mhhh...)) and the Kinepolis Forum (3,
Rue Poise), but a more outlying multiplex is located south of the city
(130, Rue Michel Debré (ZAC Mas des Abeilles)), not far from the
shopping areas, part of the Forum Kinepolis company. This giant space is
located in the Mas des Abeilles district near the Route de Saint-Gilles
(visible from the A9 motorway...) and accessible by public transport for
those who do not wish to use their own vehicle.
Discotheques: for
fans of this kind of evening, several nightclubs exist around Nîmes and
mainly in the towns located further south or even near the sea. join
their favorite box every weekend evening.
Funfair: at certain times
of the year and more particularly around Saint-Michel (September and
October...) a gigantic funfair is set up on the northern half of Avenue
Jean Jaurès, i.e. say between the Jardins de la Fontaine and Place
Séverine (the only real roundabout on this axis...) where young and old
alike can have a good time. Many fries and waffles stands are also
present on this occasion. Once again, caution is called for: the streets
crossing the central reservation of this artery are generally not
blocked to cars, so hold your children by the hand, because they often
forget the danger that awaits them. Also beware of children from
disadvantaged neighborhoods, especially present in bumper cars who tend
to ask for money to be able to access this attraction, politely but
firmly refuse even if they insist in a touching way.
A fairly wide range is offered to those who wish to discover the
Roman city.
The most chic establishments are obviously located in
the city center or in the immediate vicinity, while the multinational
chains are generally located near motorway access.
Cheap
Nîmes
Youth Hostel, La Cigale, 257 chemin de l'Auberge de Jeunesse, 30900
Nîmes, telephone +33 4 66 68 03 20, email: nimes@hifrance.org – Located
in an enclosed botanical park, the Youth Hostel of Nîmes benefits from a
magnificent terrace in an olive grove. It is a dream stopover on the
outskirts of a city that is fascinating with its ancient heritage and
vibrant with the emotions of the feria. The hostel is a member of the
United Federation of Youth Hostels and the Hostelling International
network.
Middle class
Hotel Kyriad Nîmes center 10 rue Roussy
(10 minutes from the SNCF train station and the Arena)
Hôtel de
l'Amphithéâtre – 2-star hotel located in the heart of Nîmes, close to
the Arena.
Administration
Nîmes Town Hall, Place de l'Hôtel de Ville,
telephone +33 4 66 76 70 01
Nîmes Métropole (agglomeration
community), 3 rue du Colisée, Logo indicating a telephone number +33 4
66 02 55 55
Nîmes was called Nemausus by the Celts (name of the local Celtic
spring deity) and was the capital of the Volcae Arecomici. It was in the
sphere of influence of Massilia (today's Marseille). 121 BC It was
conquered by the Romans and became part of the province of Gallia
Narbonensis, then in 27 BC. raised to Colonia by Emperor Augustus
(Colonia Augusta Nemausus). Egyptian Greeks settled here around this
time, probably from the army of Marcus Antonius. In 149 AD Nemausus
probably became the new capital of Narbonensis after the fire of Narbo
(now Narbonne). The city was prosperous at least until the end of the
2nd century AD. It was populous, splendidly built and an example of the
heyday of Gallo-Roman culture. In its oldest parts from the 3rd century
BC. The Romans made the Tour Magne (“Big Tower”), which has survived to
this day, part of their seven-kilometre-long city fortifications. The
city, conveniently located on the Via Domitia, had an important mint and
had around 25,000 inhabitants at the time. Preserved monuments such as
the amphitheater, the castellum, the Diana temple, the Pont du Gard
aqueduct northeast of the city, the Maison Carrée and the Augustus Gate
testify to the position at that time.
Nîmes, where a synod took
place in 396, became a bishopric in late late antiquity; for the first
time a bishop is attested here for the year 506. In 472 the city was
conquered by the Visigoths, who were able to defend Septimania against
the Franks for a long time. In 725 the Saracens conquered Nîmes, but in
737 it was taken by the Franks led by Charles Martell and almost
completely destroyed. Recovered from the Saracens, the city fell into
the hands of Pepin the Younger in 752. After Nîmes came to the Frankish
Empire, the vicecomites (French vicomtes), who were under the dukes of
Septimania, ruled there. In the 10th century they became independent and
since then have held the title of counts. The city was sacked by the
Normans in 859. Repeated bones of contention between the Counts of
Toulouse, Carcassonne and Béziers, as well as the King of Aragon, Nîmes
was drawn in by the latter as suzerain. In 1226 King Louis VIII of
France conquered it. In 1259 James I of Aragon formally passed it to
Louis IX. away. During the Hundred Years' War, the city was conquered by
the Duke of Anjou in 1378, by the English in 1417 and by the Dauphin
Charles VII in 1420.
In the 16th century, Nîmes was one of the
capitals of the Huguenots, who, despite all the persecutions and
oppressions, held their own there in relatively large numbers and, at
the instigation of Marguerite of Navarre, even built a Protestant
university. Despite all attempts at reconciliation, there has since been
a harsh contrast between the Catholic and Protestant inhabitants. This
often led to bloody fights. (see: Michelade 1567) In the times of
reaction, after the repeal of the Edict of Nantes (1685) and during the
Cevennes War (1702-05), the Protestants were persecuted. During the
fighting, the city's cathedral was destroyed several times. Religious
conflicts also escalated in 1791, and in 1815 the Bourbon Restoration
after Napoleon Bonaparte's Hundred Days reign caused great atrocities
here as well. In August and September of this year the Catholics,
through the "Bandes Verdets" under a certain Dupont, called Trastaillon,
persecuted the Protestant inhabitants with murder and fire; only
repeated attempts by the Duke of Angoulême ended this confusion. At the
end of August 1830, after the July Revolution, the Catholic fanatical
party for Charles X rose up and caused much uproar but was suppressed.
In 1835 cholera raged in Nîmes.
Nevertheless, the city
experienced a steady economic boom, especially since the advent of
manufactory production in the 18th century, which was mainly used in
textile production. In addition, the cultivation of vines proved to be
profitable, especially after the connection to the railway network and
the construction of the Canal du Midi made it easier to sell the
products.
During the Second World War, the city was occupied by
the Germans from 1942 to 1944. Two American air raids on May 27, 1944
and July 12, 1944, which mainly hit the eastern part of the city, killed
271 people and injured 289; a total of 443 houses were destroyed and
around 5,000 damaged. In Nîmes there was something special about the
liberation from the Germans: at the head of the procession to celebrate
the liberation by the Resistance troops ran three Germans who had fought
with arms in the Maquis, in the Cevennes, on the side of France.
Nimes is the location of the 2e REI (2e régiment étranger d'infanterie,
English: 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment) of the Foreign Legion.