Nîmes has some of the best-preserved Roman monuments anywhere in the former empire. The Arena, a first-century amphitheatre that once held 24,000 spectators, still hosts concerts and bullfights. The Maison Carrée is the most intact Roman temple in existence — a small, elegant building that inspired Thomas Jefferson's design for the Virginia State Capitol. The Pont du Gard, the spectacular Roman aqueduct that carried water to the city, is about 25 kilometres northeast.
Beyond its Roman heritage, Nîmes is a lively southern French city with a strong tradition of festivals — the Feria de Nîmes at Pentecost is one of the biggest bullfighting festivals in France, and the grape harvest celebrations in autumn fill the streets. The Jardins de la Fontaine, laid out around the ancient spring that first drew the Romans here, are among the oldest public gardens in Europe and contain the ruins of the Temple of Diana and the Tour Magne.
Nîmes sits at the edge of Languedoc, between Provence and the Cévennes, and makes a good base for exploring the region. The city is well connected by TGV to Paris (about three hours) and by regional trains to Montpellier, Avignon, and Arles.