France Guide
Languedoc
Les Arènes
Opening time: March & Oct 9.30am–6pm; April, May & Sept 9am–6.30pm; June– Aug 9am–7pm; Nov– Feb 9.30am–5pm; closed during special events
Price: €7.70
The focal point of the city is a first-century Roman arena, known as Les Arènes, at the junction of boulevards de la Libération and Victor-Hugo. One of the best-preserved Roman arenas in the world, its arcaded two-storey facade conceals massive interior vaulting, riddled with corridors and supporting raked tiers of seats with a capacity of more than 20,000 spectators, whose staple fare was the blood and guts of gladiatorial combat. When Rome's sway was broken by the barbarian invasions, the arena became a fortress and eventually a slum, home to an incredible 2000 people when it was cleared in the early 1800s. Today it has recovered something of its former role, with passionate summer crowds still turning out for some blood-letting – Nîmes has the premier bullfighting scene outside Spain.
If you're planning on making the rounds of museums and monuments, opt for the Billet Nîmes Romaine and Forfait Musée (from the tourist office; €9.80, for the Roman ruins, €7.50 for the museums).