Planning a weekend break and wondering what to do in Nîmes France? Then you’re in the right place. We recently visited this lovely city not once, but twice.
We totally fell in love with the vibe and historical sites which is why I want to share the best things to do in Nîmes France so that you can fall in love with the city too.
Attractions like the Roman Amphitheater, the Jardin de la Fontaine, and the Temple of Diana are just some of the wonderful sites you can explore in Nîmes.
The city is actually known as the Rome of France which is why I was so intrigued to visit in the first place. Read on to get a full overview and start planning your trip!
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!
Day 1: Things to do in Nîmes France
Step inside the Church of Saint Baudile
The Church of San Baudile is a fantastic neogothic church and the largest church in Nîmes. We came across it as it was on the way from where we parked to the city center, so we found it a great place to start our morning.
The two 70-meter tall towers are visible from far away, but I especially enjoyed the interior. The large columns that hold the tall ceiling and the stained glass windows make it a magical place of worship but it’s also well worth walking around to see all the small details.
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See the Porte d’Auguste
Porte d’Auguste is located right across the street from the Church of Saint Baudile and is an old Roman Gate that was used to enter the city.
According to writings on the gate, it was funded by Emperor Augustus. The two main gates are remaining and so are the two smaller gates on the sides which were for foot traffic.
It’s a fabulous piece of Roman architecture that backs up the city’s reputation as the Rome of France. The Roman remains are for sure one of the main reasons to visit Nîmes.
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Step back in time in the Museum d’Historie Naturelle
If you’re a bit of a history buff, you’ll love this museum which takes you to prehistoric times and introduces ethnography the way it was conceived in the 1930s.
There is also a Planetarium there which is really cool as it deep-dived into the universe in an entertaining way.
Besides, there are temporary exhibitions at all times. The museum is set in an old monastery, so the building itself is also very beautiful.
Take a photo of the historical Nîmes Arena
Nîmes Arena is the highlight of any trip to Nîmes France. The well-preserved amphitheater is said to resemble the Colosseum in Rome and I can vote for that, though this one has preserved its top floor as the only one in the world.
It was built in the year 27 BC by Emperor Augustus and was used for gladiator games. Today, there are performances and concerts in the arena, but unfortunately, they also have bullfights in there.
As you might know, I’m an advocate for ethical animal tourism and don’t recommend visiting the arena as long as they perform bullfights there.
Nîmes Arena is still a fantastic site to take pictures of from the outside, and a must-see even if you only have a day in Nîmes.
Lunch in the old town
From the amphitheater, you’re just a few steps from the old town of Nîmes where you find plenty of restaurants and cafés for lunch.
We loved strolling through the narrow streets and found several places we liked. We also enjoyed the restaurants on Maison Carrée Square.
If you’re looking for something quick, we loved the Copper Branch with vegan takeaway and fast food like burgers, wraps, and bowls.
Explore the Maison Carrée
Maison Carrée is the world’s best-preserved Roman Temple and dates back to Emperor Augustus’ era. It’s located on the square of the same name and has been inscribed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites together with the Jardin de La Fontaine in 2023.
It’s a natural site to cross on your exploration of the old town, but worth mentioning so you don’t miss out on it by mistake!
Visit Nîmes Cathedral
Nîmes Cathedral, also known as Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Castor, should also be on your list of things to see in Nîmes.
They were doing renovation work the last time we were there, so we didn’t get inside but I wouldn’t miss it if it’s open.
The cathedral is said to be built on top of a former church that was built in the same place where the Temple of Agustus once stood.
Stroll around the old town
Besides these sites, make sure you take some time strolling around the old town when you visit Nîmes. I really love the vibe of the old town.
As you get lost in the narrow streets, you’ll come across several restaurants and bars where you can grab a drink or plan for dinner whenever you’re hungry.
During the summer months, there are also different festivals and happenings making the squares even more lively with music and people dancing.
Day 2: Things to do in Nîmes
Jardin de La Fontaine
Also a UNESCO site, Jardin de La Fontaine is a lovely place to start your second day in Nîmes. It’s a large 18th-century park with beautiful greenery and statues. And not to mention, Roman remains.
Baby Atlas especially loved the statues of men and women with their dogs. Me, on the other hand, I was really fascinated by the big fountain in the middle with fish in the water and large statues.
There’s a nice terraced viewpoint on the hillside behind the fountain too. I also love that the park is used by locals just as much as it’s a tourist attraction.
Temple of Diana
Inside the Jardin de La Fontaine, you find the Temple of Diana which are the ruins of an old temple from the times when Augustus reigned.
However, some believe that it wasn’t a temple but a library built in the 2nd century. Either way, I loved the ruins and think they’re a highlight in Jardin de La Fontaine.
Looking at the large fountain towards the hill, the temple will be on your left side behind some trees.
Tour Magne
Tour Magne is a ruined watch tower that was once part of the city’s fortifications during the reign of Emperor Augustus in the 1st century. But it might have been a tower there from way earlier.
It sits on top of the Jardin de La Fontaine and makes for a nice walk through the green parts of the park.
The tower has partly collapsed and misses the top part. But it used to stand 18 meters tall and also played an important role against the English in the Hundred Years’ War.
Lunch at Les Halles Market
For lunch on day 2 in Nîmes, I can’t think of a better place to go than the Les Halles Market. The large food market dates back to 1884 and houses a large number of local eateries. It’s the perfect place to taste regional specialties.
Even if you choose to eat elsewhere, I highly recommend popping by just to see it and snap a picture.
Pont du Gard
After lunch, take the trip to the 1st century Roman Aqueduct, Pont du Gard. It’s located about a 30-minute drive and 24 kilometers from the city and reached by car.
Pont du Gard is built in 3 levels and is 50 meters high making it one of the most impressive Roman aqueducts remaining. I was really mesmerized by it.
It has been protected by UNESCO since 1985 and is part of a nearly 50-kilometer-long aqueduct.
There is also an interesting museum with old Roman artifacts. I highly recommend getting this ticket in advance which includes the museum with permanent and temporary exhibitions.
The first time, I just went to see the aqueduct and took some pictures, but the experience of visiting the museum too gave so much more insight!
Reflections on what to do in Nîmes France
Summing up, there are so many amazing things you can do in Nîmes during a weekend trip. However, the best of it all is the all over vibe of the city.
It feels somewhat off the beaten path in France yet it’s full of life with plenty of restaurants and bars where you can mingle with locals and travelers alike.
Happy travels!