Nîmes is one of the great cities of Southern France and should be on everyone’s itinerary for its spectacular Roman monuments, gardens, fountains, boulevards, shops, outdoor cafés, restaurants and bullfights.

Although not technically part of modern Provence (PACA), the eastern half of the Gard département of which Nîmes is the capital city, is often referred to as Gard Provençal because it links Provence with Languedoc.

A very important city in Roman times, Nîmes or Nemausus has a splendid Amphitheatre, constructed in 70 AD at around the same time as its counterpart in Arles. Although not the largest, it is arguably the best preserved of all the amphitheatres in France and locally it is referred to as Les Arènes.

Check out the superbly preserved Maison Carrée and the Tour Magne an ancient watchtower built by the Emperor Augustus. You’ll find the latter monument in Les Jardins de la Fontaine which was constructed around a sacred spring known to the Gauls. The Romans named it Nemausus for the God of Rivers. The Gardens are a very pleasant place to spend an afternoon well away from the bustle of the city. As it happens, they are in fact only a short walk (about 500m/550yds) from the centre.