Nimes in Provence has an astonishing Roman arena which is still used today for large concerts and events.
Provence is an area of France where the Romans built some of their most impressive arenas, amphitheatres and aqueducts. You get the impression that they really liked the area and were intent on building a “little Rome” in Provence, France.
I went to Nimes for the first time a few years ago to see a concert in the Roman arena. Having never been before we decided to make a day of it and spent a pleasant afternoon shopping and wondering round the pedestrian walkways and squares of the old part of town.
It is a town with a great deal of history and impressive architecture, but nothing prepared me for the magnificence of the Roman arena. I was struck by similar feelings as when I first laid eyes on the Coliseum in Rome, amazement at just how big it is and how intact. It's truely incredible that something so old can stand the test of time so well.
You can visit the Roman arena in Nimes and enjoy guided tours which explain how it all worked. Personally I love it as a concert venue, watching a spectacle there as the Romans once did, though obviously not as gory, felt like a real privalige. We sat on the upper level, on massive, age worn limestone stones and enjoyed the sunset followed by a starlit sky to the sounds of Duffy and Charlie Winston, then Mika the following year.
If you like Roman architecture a villa holiday in Provence offers you a fantastic opportunity to see some major monuments and even better, use them. French villa holidays are about far more than the usual bucket and spade, there is a potential wow factor and experiences which will live with you forever. If you would any information on up and coming events at the arena or help with finding a suitable good quality self catering holiday base from our range of houses then please do call using our freephone service or send an email, our holiday experts will be pleased to assist.