Nimes, Avignon: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Nîmes is a city in the Gard département of southern France, 43 kilometers northeast of Montpellier, containing some of the best-preserved Roman monuments outside Italy. The Maison Carrée, a rectangular Roman temple built around 4-7 AD, stands virtually intact on the site of the ancient forum, its Corinthian columns and pediment serving as a model for neoclassical buildings including the Virginia State Capitol. The Arena of Nîmes, an amphitheater seating 24,000, still hosts bullfights and concerts. The Musée de la Romanité, a contemporary glass-fronted building opened in 2018 opposite the arena, holds over 25,000 archaeological objects. is just one of many options in Avignon. Major attractions worth considering include Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Avignon Cathedral (Cathedrale Notre-Dame des Doms), and Eglise Notre-Dame des Sablons.