Planning a one day in Nîmes France itinerary but not quite sure where to start? Then you’re in the right place. We recently visited the city and totally fell in love with it!
Also known as the Rome of France, Nîmes is jam-packed with… (drumroll!) Roman ruins!
From the Roman amphitheater to the Maison Carrée and wonderful Roman gardens filled with remains from Emperor Augustus’ times. Some of them are even listed UNESCO sites so you’ll have plenty to fill up your Nîmes one-day itinerary.
Read on to learn what to do in Nîmes France in one day!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase through one of those links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi, I’m Linn Haglund, the face behind Brainy Backpackers. I’ve been based in Spain for the last 10+ years, and travel locally and abroad whenever I have a chance. I’m passionate about responsible travel, slow and off the beaten path travel, and outdoor activities, especially hiking. I’m currently slow traveling in my van Persistence (Persi among friends) with my fiancée Mohammed and rescue puppy Atlas. I’m excited to help you explore this planet responsibly!
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One day in Nîmes itinerary
When exploring Nîmes in one day you won’t be able to see everything, but with this Nîmes itinerary, you’ll get a good grasp of what to see in the city.
My first visit to Nîmes was in one day and we totally fell in love with the city – that’s why we went back to explore more! That said, I’ll include the most important sites during a Nîmes day trip that you can see in a logical order.
We parked the car outside the center which made it logical to start this itinerary with the Church of Saint Bodile. Even if you stay somewhere different, I recommend including it as it’s absolutely stunning and it’s right in front of the Porte d’Auguste. If you come by train, it’s only a 12-minute walk from the train station.
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Step inside the Church of Saint Baudile
As the largest church in Nîmes, the Church of Saint Baudile’s 70-meter-tall twin towers can be seen from afar.
The place of worship dates back to the mid-1800s and is dedicated to the 3rd-century martyr, Saint Baudilus.
It’s a pretty neogothic church which is well worth entering. I was mesmerized by the large columns and the stained glass windows that, even though they’re high up, you can see the artwork well.
Porte d’Auguste
The Porte d’Auguste is located right across the road from the Church of Saint Baudile (to the left when looking at the entrance of the church.)
Emperor Eugustus had the gates built as one of the entrances to the city. They’re in a great state with two large arches for carriages in the middle and two smaller arches on the outside for foot traffic.
You can also see the remains of the Roman road going through there. It’s always fascinated me walking on the same rrocks that were laid out by the Romans 2000 years ago.
Museum d’Historie Naturelle
On the way into the old town we came across the Museum d’Historie Naturelle which is fantastic fo rany history buff like myself.
On our first day trip to Nîmes, we didn’t enter but were amazed by the large T-Rex outside (one of Baby Atlas’ nicknames is T-Rex so he had to have a selfie with it!)
But it’s worth visiting for the prehistoric section (my favorite) and the ethnography section. There’s also a planetarium which offers an entertaining way to learn about the universe.
Snap a photo of the historical Nîmes Arena
Nîmes Arena or Nîmes Roman Amphitheater is the main draw for tourists visiting the city. It’s the only amphitheater worldwide that has preserved the top floor which is quite unique, not even the famous colosseum in Rome is intact.
While it’s a fascinating building, they perform bullfights (yes, I know! I thought that only happened in Spain!) in the arena among other cultural events.
If you’re an animal lover like me, you’ll most likely opt out of entering this venue altogether to not support bullfighting in any way.
That said, Nîmes is definitely worth visiting if just to see the amphitheater from the outside!
See the Maison Carrée
The Maison Carrée is the best-preserved Roman temple in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was built by Emperor Augustus in the 1st century to honor his two adopted sons. What a great honor!
It sits in the middle of the old town within restaurants and bars where you can grab a bite or a drink while admiring the beautiful temple.
Maison Carrée means Square House. The Romans referred to it as square due to it having straight angles (not round as you can see on many Roman structures.)
Inside, you can see a 3D film with information about the history. Personally, I think it drags out a bit, and I would be happy just seeing the temple from the outside (I LOVE the door!)
CHECK OUT OUR FIRST VISIT TO NIMES ON YOUTUBE
Grab lunch in the old town
Make sure you grab some lunch before heading to the Jardin de la Fontaine as it’s a bit outside the area where you find food. There is one bar/restaurant next to the gardens, but I haven’t tried it myself so not sure if the prices are steeper than usual or not.
However, in the old town, you’re spoilt for choice whether you want to eat before or after you reach the Maison Carrée.
Jardin de La Fontaine
After lunch, head to Jardin de La Fontaine. It’s one of the most beautiful gardens in Europe with a large fountain and beautiful statues. In my opinion, visiting the Jardine de La Fontaine is one of the absolute best things to do in Nîmes.
It dates back to the 18th century, but during the world, they discovered an old Roman site. Not so strange as there’s a water spring there to circulate water from.
Now, they have a replica of an old Roman aqueduct system in the park and you can see major Roman ruins like the Temple of Diana and Tour Magne when strolling around.
Stroll around Nîmes Old Town
End your day strolling around Nîmes Old Town. We totally fell in love with the vibes. There are plenty of bars and restaurants whether you want to have a drink or grab dinner where you can savor local specialties.
I loved the old narrow streets and alleyways at night when the warm street light lit up, people walking around, and music coming out from the bars.
How to get to Nîmes
Nîmes is easy to reach by plane with Nîmes Alès Camargue Cévennes Airport just a 10-minute drive from the city center.
There is a shuttle service that takes you between the airport and the city that you can book at the ticket machines at the airport or by credit card on the shuttle.
Nîmes is also well connected by bus and train with Nîmes Station connecting the city by train with
If you drive, it can be hard to find free parking. We used the app Park4Night and found a safe parking place outside the city center at only a 20-minute walk from the old town where we spent the night.
How to get around
Nîmes is very walkable, so there is no need for public transport. Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes like a pair of good sneakers, though.
However, if you feel like it’s too much walking to get around Nîmes for just a day, there are bikes and electric scooters for rent around the city that you can rent easily through their respective apps.
The best time to visit Nîmes
Nîmes is a great all-year-round destination, but the weather is most pleasant during spring and fall, which is between April and May, and September and October.
We went in June and July this year and it was very hot. But it was also an epic time of the year as there were festivals and music in the streets creating an unforgettable atmosphere.
Nîmes in winter, on the other hand, are cold and windy with fewer sun hours/days than the rest of the year.
In my experience, it doesn’t really matter because there are plenty of cozy bars to snuggle up inside and with so many epic tourist attractions, you’ll be busy exploring no matter the weather.
Where to stay in Nîmes
If you’re staying the night, there are plenty of fantastic places to stay in Nîmes. I’ve listed my top picks for different budgets here.
Luxury: Maison Albar Hotels L’Imperator – luxurious and comfortable in the center of Nîmes with pools inside and outside, and restaurants and bars onsite. Famous artists like Ernest Hemingway and Ava Gardner have stayed at the hotel.
Mid-range: Margaret – Hôtel Chouleur – an elegant boutique hotel with 10 rooms. I especially loved the courtyard with a pool and at night it’s super cozy, all lit up.
Budget: Best Western Marquis de la Baume – a lovely hotel set in a 17th-century townhouse close to Nîmes’ attractions.
Reflections on spending a day in Nîmes
So, is it worth seeing Nîmes in one day? Absolutely! The places I’ve included in this Nîmes 1-day itinerary are all absolutely epic and if you get a chance to spend some time in the old town at the end of the day I’m sure you’ll fall in love with the city just as much as we did.
What I love about it is that it’s small enough to get around in a day and you’ll get the opportunity to explore a lot of the top attractions in a short time.
Happy travels!