Some cities impress you. Others stay with you. Nîmes does both. With Laurent — our local guide from Gamin du Sud — the city revealed itself in layers: Roman, bold, unexpected… and full of personality.
Jardins de la Fontaine — one of the first public gardens in Europe
This isn't just a park. Monumental staircases, statues, water features, and that calm Southern light — the perfect starting point.
Built around ancient Roman springs, it is one of the first public gardens in Europe. Not a bad way to begin.
Learn more →A Roman amphitheatre from the 1st century AD — still standing, still alive, still hosting events today.
Standing in its centre, it is hard not to picture the gladiators, the crowds, the centuries layered beneath your feet. This is the kind of place that reminds you why Nîmes was once called "the French Rome".
Official Arènes website →
The Arènes — 2,000 years old and still in use
Maison Carrée — inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list
One of the best-preserved Roman temples in the world. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2023.
Perfect proportions, clean lines… and yes, spoiler — despite its name, it is definitely more rectangular than square. But we'll let it pass — it's been standing since the 1st century.
Visit the Maison Carrée →
The symbol of Nîmes is a crocodile chained to a palm tree — one of those details you can't unsee once Laurent explains it.
Roman veterans settled here after the Egyptian campaigns led by Augustus, and chose this emblem to celebrate their triumph. It's unusual. It's bold. And once you know it, you start seeing it everywhere.
A few moments captured along the way — because some details are better told in pictures than in words.
No visit to Nîmes is complete without trying brandade de Nîmes. We made a stop at La Fabrique de la Brandade — and let's just say Gui found his lifelong obsession.
Brandade lover forever.
To end our visit, we walked along the Canal de la Fontaine.
Quiet, elegant, almost hidden compared to the grandeur of the monuments. It's where Nîmes slows down — and that contrast is exactly what makes the city so interesting.
Yes — this iconic fabric was born right here. And today, the story lives on through local creators like Atelier de Nîmes, bringing a modern twist to this historic heritage.
A curated selection, tried or recommended by our team and by Gamin du Sud. Tip: book ahead, especially in high season.
Ancient Rome meets a vibrant Southern city — the perfect combo, no staging required.
Every monument has a purpose, a meaning, a past. And we love that.
The crocodile. The brandade. The hidden canals. Nîmes keeps you curious.
A full day is ideal to savour the city, but a well-planned half-day works too for the essentials.
Yes — and you absolutely should. The audio guide is well worth it to grasp the scale of the place.
Roman monuments, brandade de Nîmes, and its unique crocodile emblem — plus, of course, its role as the birthplace of denim.
The Maison Carrée, the Arènes and the Jardins de la Fontaine. Bonus: the crocodile mosaic markers scattered around the city, for a more unexpected souvenir.
About 25 minutes by car. From Soko Hotels, you can easily combine both in a single day — without the stress.
Nîmes just 25 minutes away, the Pont du Gard right around the corner, and your 4-star base with pool and good vibes at Soko Hotels. The best of both worlds.
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