Nimes

Want to see a Roman amphitheatre, so perfectly preserved it was used in the film, Gladiator? Nimes in the Languedoc region of southern France is the place to see it. A grand city with some of the finest Roman remains in France; this is a fantastic place to wander around browsing luxury shops, charming restaurants and an almost unrivalled collection of Roman buildings. Les Arenes, the impressive amphitheatre inspired by the Roman Colosseum is one of the most intact of its kind anywhere in the world. Seating 20,000 people, it’s now regularly used for bull fights and pop concerts. The Maison Carre – another perfectly preserved Roman building, is a seriously impressive Roman temple, which now houses a small museum and bookshop. Aside from these striking Roman remains, there’s more to see. Prominent festivals take place regularly, it’s a perfect base to explore the UNESCO Camargue area, and the spectacular Pont du Gard– an aqueduct spanning three tiers.