Maison Carrée

Roman Towns of Nimes and Arles

There are two very pretty Roman towns in the south of France: Nimes and Arles. With Ryanair flies direct from London, Nimes Airport is very easy to reach. Nimes is a historic city with very impressive Roman remains such as a Roman amphitheatre, a Roman temple, and a Roman tower.

Arena of Nîmes
Arena of Nîmes
Maison Carrée
Maison Carrée: a Roman temple
Nimes city centre
Nimes city centre

One certainly cannot imagine living close to the amphitheatre. Here in AD 70 when the Amphitheatre was built. Not quite sure who was the Emperor who ordered to build this magnificent arena.

Nimes Roman Amphitheatre
Impressive construction

They called it a perfect example of Roman engineering as it requires precision to construct such a man-made building.

Nimes Roman Amphitheater
Isn’t it perfect?
Nimes amphitheatre at night
Nimes amphitheatre at night

When I was there (sadly) I watched a glimpse of bull-fighting. Where the protesters were (on another day) gathered outside.

Bull fight in Nimes
Bull fight in Nimes
Bull-fight protest
Bull-fight protest

Nimes also has a pretty fountain park where it is called Les Jardins de la Fontaine.

Les Jardins de la Fontaine
Les Jardins de la Fontaine
Jardins de la Fontaine
Jardins de la Fontaine

It is quite in a grand scale as it is huge!

Quite huge Jardins de la Fontaine in Nimes
Quite huge Jardins de la Fontaine in Nimes

Part of Jardine:

Jardins de la Fontaine
Jardins de la Fontaine

Below is the view of the entire Nimes city from Tour Magne (a Roman Tower).

View from Tour Magne
View from Tour Magne

The typical french crepes:

French crepes
French creperie

You also never fall short of Italian food:

Penne amatriciana
Penne amatriciana in Nimes
Italian food in France
Penne arrrabbiata is served in Nimes
Served in French bread
Served in French bread

There are also some very pretty French churches:

Beautiful Catholic Church in Nimes
Beautiful Catholic Church in Nimes
Beautiful church in Nimes
Church and a palm tree (?)

A large square in the City Centre:

Open square in Nimes
Open square in Nimes

Not far from Nimes, about an hour train journey, there is an impressive Roman city of Arles.

Arles Roman Villa
Arles Roman Villa

The Arles Roman amphitheatre is located bang in the middle of the city. It is in quite a residential area.

Arles Roman Amphitheatre
Arles Roman Amphitheatre

Can you imagine if you live just next door to the amphitheatre?

Impressive Arles amphitheatre
The magnificent Arles amphitheatre
Architecture of Arles amphitheatre
Architecture of Arles amphitheatre
Arles amphitheatre
Wonderful Roman engineering
Roman Amphitheatre in Arles
It was built in 90 AD, not sure during whose Emperor reign.
View from Amphitheatre arch
View from Amphitheatre arch
Arles Arch Amphitheater
Inside the Amphitheater
Roman City of Arles
View of the City of Arles from the top of the amphitheatre
Arles Roman ticket
Ticket to see all the Roman remains
Arles Roman bath
I think this is bath of Constantine
Place du Forum in Arles
Place du Forum in Arles
Latin inscription
Latin inscription
River Rhône
River Rhône

There is also a stunning Roman theatre:

Arles Theatre
Arles Theatre
Arles Roman Theater
Arles Roman Theatre

I found a delicious place to eat in Arles. I think this is in one of the restaurants in Place du Forum, apparently it served chow mein.

Yummy Noodle in Arles
Yummy noodle in Arles
Catedral St Trophime in Arles
Catedral St Trophime in Arles

 

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