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Arenes de Nimes, France

From series “Ancient Amphitheaters and Arenas, That Are Still Operational”
One of the largest amphitheaters in the world is located in the French city of Nimes. The magnificent exterior facade of the amphitheater is decorated with 120 arches. The length of the elliptical arena of the theater is 133 meters, and the width is 101 meters. The ancient theater can accommodate up to 24000 spectators. The unique historical sight is well-known to those who visit film and music festivals in Nimes. The most important cultural events take place on the old arena.

Arenes de Nimes, France The exact history of the construction of the amphitheatre is unknown. According to one of the versions, the theater was built in the 1st century AD, during the reign of Emperor Domitianus. Scientists have found that a great gladiatorial school was located in Nimes in ancient times. Exciting battles took place on the huge arena regularly. A confirmation of their theory are numerous inscriptions on the walls of the arena, among which you can see names of gladiators, and results of the battles.

In the 6th - 7th centuries the ancient arena lost its original meaning. During the Great Migration of Nations it was used as a fortress. The arena retained an important strategic importance until the Middle Ages, by the 18th century it was actually converted into a fortress. Outside the walls of the amphitheater were residential buildings, churches and even markets. All buildings were completely destroyed in 1786, when the first large-scale reconstruction of the theater began. Already by 1853 the amphitheater has been returned to its original appearance. Since the middle of the 19th century the most spectacular and interesting events have been held there. Next - Κourion Ancient Amphitheater


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Arenes de Nimes - interactive map

Useful staff nearby

ATM bankomat: 'Crédit Immobilier de France Méditerranée' located in 0.12 km ( check the route on the map).
Car rental office: 'Ada' is located in 0.17 km ( on the map).
Fuel station: 'Esso' in 1.07 km
Supermarket: 'ADOR LE FRUITIER' in 0.14 km
Parking: 'Parking VINCI Park Arènes' in 0.25 km
Apotheek: 'Pharmacie Des Arènes' in 0.09 km
Police station: 'Service Départemental de la Police aux Frontières Su Gard' in 0.86 km
Cafe/restaurant: 'Tendances Lisita' in 0.06 km
Railway station: 'SNCF' in 17 km

Nearest airports:
 »  Garons Airport FNI - in 9 km
 »  Mediterranee Airport MPL - in 42 km
 »  Caumont Airport AVN - in 43 km
 »  Orange-Caritat Air Base Airport XOG - in 52 km
 »  Istres Le Tube Airport QIE - in 58 km
 Cities nearby

Best hotels near Arenes de Nimes

Sci Clerisseau

Located in 0 km from Arenes de Nimes
Route on the map:
Rooms: 2
The apartments offer a seating area with a flat-screen TV, a DVD player and clothes washing facilities. The bathroom comes with free toiletries and … More: photo, rates and booking
Campanile Nîmes Centre Mas-Carbonnel

Located in 1 km from Arenes de Nimes
Route on the map:
Rooms: 82
The rooms at the Campanile Nimes Centre Mas-Carbonnel offer cosy and well-appointed spaces that are distinctively Campanile. With a 24-hour … More: photo, rates and booking
Kyriad Nîmes Ouest

Located in 2 km from Arenes de Nimes
Route on the map:
Rooms: 48
Each room at Kyriad Nimes Ouest has tea and coffee-making facilities and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Decorated in Mediterranean tones, … More: photo, rates and booking
C'est tous les Jours Dimanche!

Located in 3 km from Arenes de Nimes
Route on the map:
Rooms: 1

Nearest unique sightseeing spots to visit

Pont du Gard
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Avignon historic center
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The city of Avignon is famous all over the world for its amazing historical sights. The entire area of its historic district is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site today. Historical monuments of various periods have been preserved here. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame …
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The city of Orange is famous all over the world for its ancient sights. A large ancient Roman theater has been preserved here. It is considered one of the largest and most beautiful in the world. The theater is used for musical concerts and theatrical performances …
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Top destination around Arenes de Nimes - Nimes

Église Sainte-Baudile is equally worthy of inclusion on the list of Nimes' must-visit places. Built in 1877 on the project of the architect Jean Jules Mondo, it is a vivid example of neo-Gothic architecture. In this case, Mondo was guided by his own creation - Église du Sacré-Cœur located in Bordeaux. That's why the two buildings are quite similar to each other. Another interesting shrine is Eglise Saint-Paul, which is considered a wonderful masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. Charles-Auguste Questel who worked on the project built the church in 1849. The church is notable for the fact that Pierre Boulanger, a famous architect who worked on the portal of Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, had a hand in the creation of its spectacular carved doors.

Opposite the city's most important symbol - the already mentioned Arènes de Nîmes amphitheater - one can find a magnificent cultural institution acquainting visitors with the history of Nimes from the Roman era and the Gallic period to modern times. This is about the Musée de la Romanité, which is interesting for its multimedia exhibits (using augmented reality technologies and audiovisual technology). As the name implies, more attention in the museum is focused on the Roman period. After all, it was Romans who had the most significant influence on the city. The museum was opened in June 2018.
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