A Visit to Jardins de la Fontaine or Fountain Gardens: A delightful place to enjoy some quiet time in Nîmes is at the Jardin de la Fontaine or Fountain Gardens. The Hotel Imperator, where are staying, is located on the Quais de la Fontaine, so we are within easy reach of the gardens. The Quais de la Fontaine were the embankments of the spring that provided water for the city. When the Romans arrived in Nîmes, they discovered a town built by the Gauls and which was centred around the … [Read more...]
Les Arènes – Nîmes' Roman Amphitheatre
February 11, 2010 by
Nimes' amphitheatre is still as sturdy as the day it was built: Built at the end of the first century AD, Nîmes' amphitheatre, Les Arènes, was built from stone and designed mainly to cater for the battles of gladiators. Les Arènes may not be the largest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire but it is one of the best preserved of its kind. Inspired by Rome’s Coliseum, the architecture of Nîmes' amphitheatre is a model of harmony and balance. Inside the oval structure, there are 24,000 stone … [Read more...]
Maison Carrée – Nîmes' Magnificent Roman Temple
February 10, 2010 by
Maison Carrée is neither Square nor a House: Right in the center of Nîmes is a magnificent little Roman temple, believed to be one of the most famous and best-preserved temples of the Roman world. Its name Maison Carrée suggests a Square House, but this building is neither square nor a house. Maison Carrée is a beautifully proportioned Roman temple which was erected in 5 AD in honour of Caïus Caesar and Lucius Caesar, grandson and adopted son of Emperor Augustus. In the old French … [Read more...]
