Nîmes

Our first stop in this area was Nîmes, the capital of the Gard department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. In Roman times the city was located on the Via Domitia, a Roman road which connected Italy to Spain, and became a Roman colony sometime in the 1st century BC.

We drove directly to one of the most important remains of the Roman Empire, the Arena of Nîmes, a Roman amphitheater, built in the 1st century AD and still used today (after being remodeled) for bull fighting and other events. In front is a statue of Nimeño II, a famous French torero.

Near the Arena is the Palais de Justice (Courthouse) an imposing monument built in the early 1800s that has a powerful colonnade overlooking the esplanade, largely inspired by the Maison Carree (lower), and La Fontaine de Pradier, a beautiful fountain made out of white marble. The standing woman represents the city of Nîmes. In her crown are the main Roman monuments of the city: the Arena and the Maison Carree. No idea why the water was red.

Another important Roman remain is the Maison Carrée, one of the best-preserved Roman temples anywhere. The design of the Madeleine church in Paris and the Virginia State Capitol in the United States were both inspired by the Maison Carrée.

Between the Arena and the Maison Carrée is the old part of town, which has been conveniently pedestrianized.

Nearby is the Tour Magne, a ruined Roman tower on Mont Cavalier, which we did not visit. I took this picture from the top of the Arena.