Nimes
Nimes
Nîmes, city in southern France,
capital of Gard Department, on a plain in the Cévennes Region. It is a
farm-trade and manufacturing center; products include textiles, clothing,
processed food, brandy, footwear, machinery, and chemicals. The city is known
for its many well-preserved Roman structures. These include a large arena (1st
century AD), which is still in use; the Maison-Carrée (1st century AD), built in
a Greek style as a temple and now housing a museum of Roman sculpture; and a
temple of Diana (2nd century AD ). Near the city are the Tour Magne, a tower
probably built in the 1st century BC, and the Pont du Gard (late 1st century BC
or early 1st century AD ), a famous aqueduct. Also of note are the Cathedral of
Saint Castor (begun 11th century) and museums of archaeology, fine art, and
local history.
Palace of Justice
school youths on a break
Once a Gallic settlement, Nîmes was
annexed by the Romans in 121 BC and, as Nemausus, became a prosperous cultural
and commercial center. Damaged by the Visigoths (see Goths) in the 5th century
AD, the city passed to the counts of Toulouse in the 10th century and to the
French crown in the 13th century. Nîmes was a stronghold of Protestantism during
the Reformation. After a period of decline, it grew as an economic center in the
19th century. Population (1999) 133,424.
Text from Microsoft Encarta
the arena
More Photos from the Arena in Nimes
views from the Arena
Museum of Art
Scenes of Provence painted on Carousel panels
Maison-Carrée (1st century AD)
the entrance
ceiling over the entrance
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