ARENAS OF NÎMES
2024
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One of the best preserved arenas in the world, an essential vestige of ancient history, the emblem of Nîmes.
Dating from the end of the 1st century, this vestige of ancient history is the emblem of Nîmes. This monument to the Roman Empire is one of the best preserved in the world, better than the Colosseum. The amphitheatre is 133 m long and 101 m wide. Its perfectly symmetrical façade, 21 m high, is divided into 60 bays on two levels. Some of the bas-reliefs and sculptures are still very well preserved. Gradually, pagan pleasures and barbarism had no place, and the spectacle of the games was called into question. Gladiators disappeared in 404 CE. In the 12th century, a castle was built inside the enclosure, and a village had already sprung up around the monument: "les chevaliers des arènes" (the knights of the arena) were born. In the 18th century, work began on clearing and restoring the amphitheatre to its original appearance. In 1840, the Nîmes arena was classified as a Historic Monument. The Culturespace foundation, which manages the arena, offers a number of prestigious events. On May 30, 1952, the first official féria was held: bullfighting became legal. Since then, the Whitsun féria has become one of the most renowned, much to the delight of aficionados. In the forecourt, the statue of France's greatest matador, El Nimeño II, can be admired. The bullfighter dedicated his life and soul to the bullring. One day in September 1989, a bull called Pañolero got the better of the idol and broke his cervical vertebrae. The bullring is also a popular venue for open-air concerts.
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Opening time and information on ARENAS OF NÎMES
Open all year round. Except during ferias and shows. Opening times vary from month to month. Last admission free: 30 minutes before closing time; with audioguide, 1 hour before closing time. Free admission for children under 7. Adults: €10 (Nîmes pass €13). Children (aged 7 to 17): €5. Group (20 people): €8 (family pass €21). Vacation vouchers. Tactile tablets with LSF presentation, large-print and Braille explanatory booklet, FALC tour guide booklet, cane and chair. Guided tours (Monday to Friday, at variable times depending on the season. They are included in the admission ticket, as is the audioguide). Store. A free guided tour in French is offered from Sunday to Thursday at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2:30pm, 4pm and 5pm (only in July and August).
Owner's Message
The amphitheatre of Nîmes was built around 100 AD, only twenty years after the Colosseum in Rome. While the Colosseum remains the largest amphitheatre in the Roman world, the "Arena" in Nîmes is much better preserved. If the inhabitants of Rome used the Colosseum as a stone quarry throughout the Middle Ages, the people of Nîmes were able to preserve their monument by transforming it into a residential area. Thanks to this, we can still discover its track, most of its terraces, its interior galleries and all of its arcades. The amphitheatre is the product of two centuries of reflection by Roman architects to achieve a perfectly functional and exceptional monument.
On Friday, May 6, Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8, 2022, the Arena will present a great historical re-enactment show about antiquity. In 122 A.D., 1900 years ago, the Emperor Hadrian was visiting Nîmes. On this occasion, the show will evoke the battles led by the Romans in the north of the British Isles.
As close as possible to historical reality, with 520 re-enactors dressed as Roman legionaries or Pictish warriors, horses and chariots, the show will offer a unique visual experience. Thanks to impressive original sets, we will follow the Emperor Hadrian between Rome and Brittany. In this distant province, the emperor had a wall built before our eyes that still bears his name. As an introduction to this great historical fresco, the 12,000 spectators will relive the ancient shows for which the amphitheatre was built: the famous gladiatorial combats. Then, they will attend an equestrian race around the new "spina" set, created especially for the size of the arena!
Members' reviews on ARENAS OF NÎMES
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