🏛️ A Roman City I Loved More Than Rome: Nîmes, France in 360°
The spectacular Arena of Nîmes, lit up at night.
I have a travel confession: I’ve been to Rome, and personally, I didn't love it. It felt overwhelming and crowded, and the Colosseum... it felt like "dirty dark grey bones," a place I couldn't separate from its violent history.
But Nîmes? **I loved Nîmes.** This was so unexpectedly charming. This was a Roman city that felt light, beautiful, and alive—a community hub they were proud of, not a place of murders. The ruins were clustered close together, allowing us to experience a colosseum, a temple, and grand monuments in a single, easy stroll. The lovely white marble or light granite made all the structures "pop" against the sun, feeling connected and pristine.
Don't Miss This: Find a restaurant with outdoor seating where you can "drool over" the Roman features. We found one right as the sun lit the area in a "Golden light." The food was delicious, my family felt comfortable with it, and they even brought out **ice water**! That's such a rare thing in France, and a welcome change from... let's just say, less patient restaurant owners. It was pure magic to eat, listen to the lovely French language, and watch the city light up.
TRANSPORT YOURSELF TO ROMAN NÎMES
Explore the Arena, the Maison Carrée, and the beautiful city squares in 360°.
360° Walk Around the Arena:
Inside the Eglise Sainte Perpetue:
The Fontaine Pradier:
The Maison Carrée (Best Preserved Temple):
"In Rome the Coluseum is a dirty dark grey that is just bones... This feels light and like a beautiful place where the locals gathered then and now for cultural experiences."
🗺️ Adventure at a Glance
🏞️ Location/Park: Nîmes, Occitanie region, France
🥾 Hike/Activity: Strolling through a "mini-Rome"
📏 Distance: N/A (Very walkable city center)
📈 Elevation Gain: N/A
⏳ Recommended Time: 1-2 Days
🧭 Can't-Miss Sights: The Arena of Nîmes, Maison Carrée (Roman Temple), Fontaine Pradier.
Adventure Rating:
Wow Factor:💎💎💎💎💎[e.g., One of my favorites!]
Difficulty:⛰️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️[e.g., Easy Stroll]
Crowds:🚶🚶⚪️⚪️⚪️[e.g., So much better than Rome!]
🏛️ My "Mini-Rome" Story
Our story began with an evening walk from our apartment. With each block, the Colosseum (or **Arena of Nîmes**) just kept getting more and more impressive. It may not be as huge as the one in Rome, but you can tell the city takes immense pride in it. The main highlight, built in 70 AD, is in fantastic shape and is still used today for bullfights and other public events.
The other show-stopper is the **Maison Carrée**, the best-preserved ancient Roman Temple in the world. It's so amazing that this structure can date back to the time of Christ and still look so pristine. The brilliant white stone of both buildings just "pops" against the blue sky, making them feel alive and present.
Then, as it got dark enough for the lights to turn on, the *real* magic began. I had thought I was in a magical place before, but it became even more so. It was a small enough city that you didn't feel anxious at all wandering the streets, and it just became a pure joy enjoying the magic as we walked home.
A Roman Gallery
We just hit the big Roman highlights, but this area is rich in history. Here are a few favorite moments from our walk.
The walk from our apartment, as the Arena gets closer.Our family in front of the Colosseum.The Nîmes city clock tower, across from the Arena.Eglise Saint Perpetue Cathedral.The famous Fontaine Pradier.The perfectly preserved Maison Carrée.
💡 Your Traveler's Tips
It's Not Rome: This is a "mini-Rome" *without* the overwhelming crowds. It's charming, relaxed, and perfect for a casual stroll.
It's Walkable: The main Roman highlights (Arena, Maison Carrée) are clustered together in the city center. You can easily see them all on foot.
See More History: We just hit the highlights, but this area is rich in other Roman structures and city walls. You could spend a few days exploring!
🔎 VR Video Treasure Hunt!
When you watch the immersive 360° videos, see if you can find these special moments!
In the **Arena 360°**, can you find the modern-day stage and seating, proving the arena is still used today?
In the **Maison Carrée 360°**, look up! Can you find the intricate carvings at the very top of the columns (the capitals)?
In the **Fontaine Pradier 360°**, can you spot the statue of a person at the very top, looking over the square?
⭐ Final Thoughts
Funny enough, I had almost forgotten that I hadn't finished my post on this wonderful spot. Then today I sat doing a puzzle we got for Christmas of Mont St Michel, and I realized that I needed to finish this post. It brought back all the wonderful memories of our Tour of France!
What's a city that's unexpectedly charmed you more than a famous one?
Sending Love and Positive Vibes,
Shauna from VRGetaway
🗺️ Continue Your Adventure!
If you loved this post, here are a few other adventures you might enjoy:
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