Les Arenes, Nimes
Roman amphitheatre still used for concerts & bull fights
The Nimes Roman Arena is an amphitheatre that dates back to the end of the first century AD. It is an impressive sight, with two levels of 60 superposed arches.
This Roman amphitheatre used to seat 24,000 spectators. In Roman times the Arena was used for spectator games, where gladiators would fight each other or against bulls, bears or wild boars (the exotic animals were reserved for the arenas in Rome), where chariots would sweep around the sharp bends, and the orchestra accompanied the confrontations to heighten the excitement.
Today, the same arena (now seating 7000) is still used for spectator sports-confrontations, this time between bull and matador, with the highlights during the Ferias (fairs) season. Then the young bulls run through the town chased by amateurs, equally inexperienced as the bulls themselves, one would hope. It is a big event, taking place in spring and September, during the grape-harvest season. The bullfights as well as the Ferias are world famous, with crowded streets and tickets hard to come by.
Regular events take place through the summer, take a look at our events calendar to see what's going on.
Nimes Arena is open every day (except for fairs and shows).
- January, February, November and December: 09:30 - 17:00
- March and October: 09:00 - 18:00
- April, May and September: 09:00 - 18:30
- June: 09:00 - 19:00
- July and August 09:00 - 20:00
A visit to the Arena on its own is 10 euros with an audioguide, or 8 euros for concessions, or you can buy a 'Pass Nimes' for the Arena, Maison Carre and the Tour Magne for 12 euros.
Directions
The Roman monuments of Nimes are 30 minutes from Pont du Gard, 45 minutes from the Roman Theatre of Orange, the Château des Baux and the Palais des Papes. By car : motorway A9 or A54 exit Nîmes then direction "city centre" and "Arena" by train: TGV station 5 minutes from the Bullring. By plane: Nîmes-Garons airport.
When to come
It's open throughout the year and you can walk through the sand covered arena, and into the seating area - head to the top for the best views. The arena is now used for bull-fighting and for concerts.
