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If you've seen or contemplated visiting the Colosseum or Flavian
Amphitheatre in Rome, you might be surprised to find similar
treasures in other European cities.
In the southeast region of France, the city of Nimes (pronounced
NEEM) is home to a smaller copy of the uniquely Roman architecture.
Continuously inhabited since prehistoric times, the city was built
around a sacred spring. Occupied by the Celts and then the Romans in
28 BC, the Romans established it as the settlement of Nemausus.
It later became an important trading centre and was allowed to
mint its own brass coin to accommodate local trade. Nimes is about
an hour's drive from Marseille. The popular cloth, denim, is named
after the city (De Nimes, meaning of or from Nimes).
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amphitheatre was constructed in the centre of Nimes in the first
century BC as an entertainment centre where spectators viewed animal
and gladiator battles. Built of stone without mortar, the stadium is
still in good condition and is used for bullfights and other
cultural, musical and sporting events. The facility seats some 2,300
people. In Roman times patrons were seated by their social position,
with the highest ranking visitors under the awnings to shade them
from the sun.
In 1988 a removable cover was installed on the stadium so it
could be used in winter. From the seventh century to 1226, the
amphitheatre was used as a fortress, housing a palace, homes, and
two churches. From 1786 to 1809 those additions were demolished and
more restoration work was under way.
La Maison Carree (Square House) in Nimes is also an example of
classic Roman architecture, built to honour the grandson and adopted
son of the emperor Augustus Caesar. The temple features classical
columns, ornate capitals and a carved ceiling. It was built between
3 AD and 5 AD.
In the French Alps you can find Annecy, one of the most
beautiful and popular resort towns in the area. It is on the edge of
Lac d'Annecy, and bounded to the east by the peaks of La Tournett.
To the west is the wooded ridge of Le Semnoz. The tourist traffic in
high season can be a bit much, but it's worth a stop to see its
charm, explore its history and sample its culinary delights.
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