Attractions

One of the most beautiful gardens in France, Jardin de la Fontaine, at the end of quai de la Fontaine, was laid out in the 18th century, using the ruins of a Roman shrine as a centerpiece. It was planted with rows of chestnuts and elms, adorned with statuary and urns, and intersected by grottoes and canals. The garden is open from April to mid-September daily from 7am to 10pm, from mid-September to March, daily from 7am to 6:30pm. Within the garden are the ruined Temple of Diane and the remains of some Roman baths. Over the park, within a 10-minute walk north of the town center, is Mont Cavalier, a low, rocky hill on top of which rises the sturdy bulk of the Tour Magne, the city's oldest Roman monument. You can climb it for 2.70€ ($3.50) for adults, 2€ ($2.60) for students and children under 15. From April to October it is open daily from 10am to 7pm, November to March, daily from 10am to 6:30pm. It offers a panoramic view over Nîmes and its environs.

If time allows, visit the Musée du Vieux-Nîmes, place aux Herbes (tel. 04-66-76-73-70), housed in an Episcopal palace from the 1700s and rich in antiques, porcelain, and workday objects from the 18th and 19th centuries. Admission is free. Hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

One of the city's busiest thoroughfares, boulevard de l'Amiral-Courbet, leads to the Porte d'Auguste (Porte d'Arles) -- the remains of a gate built by the Romans during the reign of Augustus. About 45m (150 ft.) to the south are the Musée de Préhistoire et d'Histoire Naturelle (tel. 04-66-76-73-45) and the Musée Archéologique [ST] (tel. 04-66-76-74-80), in the same building at 13 bis bd. l'Amiral-Courbet. Admission is free. Hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

Your Lucky Ticket -- If you want to see all of the city's monuments and museums, consider buying a billet global (Forfait Monuments & Musées), sold at the ticket counter of any of the local attractions. It provides access for a 3-day period to all the cultural sites described below. The fee is 10€ ($13) for adults, 5€ ($6.50) for students and children 10 to 15, free for children under 10.

A Famous Roman Bridge

Outside the city, 23km (14 miles) northeast, the pont du Gard spans the Gard River. The bridge is constructed of huge stones fitted together without mortar and stands as one of the region's most vivid reminders of its ancient glory. Consisting of three tiers of arches arranged into gracefully symmetrical patterns, it dates from about 19 B.C. Frédéric Mistral, national poet of Provence and Languedoc, recorded a legend alleging that the devil constructed the bridge with the promise that he could claim the soul of the first person to cross it. To visit it, take highway N86 from Nîmes to a point 3km (1 3/4 miles) from the village of Remoulins, where signs are posted.

The pont du Gard has a museum, La Grande Expo du Pont du Gard, B.P. 7, 30210 Vers Pont du Gard (tel. 04-66-37-50-99). Four exhibits detail the bridge's construction, its function throughout the Middle Ages, and insights into its role as a symbol of the architectural savvy of ancient Rome. There's also a restaurant, cafe, and gift shop. It's open daily from May to August 9:30am to 7pm (until 6pm Feb-Apr and Sept-October; until 5pm Nov-Jan). The exposition opens every Monday at 1:30pm and closes at the hours noted, according to the season. It is closed the first 3 weeks in January. Admission is 12€ ($16) for adults, 9€ ($12) for persons under 25 and students.