Nîmes vacation rentals

Perhaps all roads really do lead to Rome?

Visitors in Nimes might be surprised to find a French city full of historic Roman ruins. Once an important outpost for the Empire, today Nimes has an ancient 20,000-seat arena which still hosts events, as well as the remains of baths and temples to show for its former inhabitants. Nimes remains a bustling southern city, complete with stunning parks and gardens, markets, and museums. Whether you pick a sprawling stone villa or a charming historic townhouse, you're likely to find a Nimes vacation rental with almost as much character as the locals.

Beaucoup de l'histoire around every corner

With so much history, you can bet that Nimes is a city of museums and monuments. Don't miss the Maison Carree, one of the most well-preserved Roman temple facades, or a stroll through the Jardins de La Fontaine, a 17th-century park complete with Roman ruins and botanical gardens. Pay a visit to the Musee des Beaux-Arts for a collection of Flemish, Italian, and French works, and discover the history of bullfighting at the Musee des Cultures Taurines. Visit the (stuffed) animals at the Musee d'Histoire Naturelle, or pop into the Carre d'Art, an architecturally stunning library.

Bullfights and bright lights at the Roman Arena

There's much to see and do in Nimes, from strolling the morning market scene at Les Halles to visiting the outdoor cafes, restaurants, and shops in the town center, Place du Marche, which also holds a daily market. Nimes is also the French capital of bullfighting. If you book your Nimes vacation rental in May, know that the Feria de Nimes bullfighting festival is held in the Roman Arena. When the bulls aren't in town, the arena is used for star-studded concerts, events, and historical reenactments.

The mighty Provencal mistrals are definitely no joke

Peak season hits the region in June and July, so expect summers to be hot and crowded. August quiets down when the locals go on their own vacations, leaving much of the town closed for the month. September and October boast lovely weather and smaller crowds, while winters can be downright frigid. This is thanks to the famous Provencal wind, the mistral, but they're a distant memory come spring. The weather warms back up nicely from March through May, just in time for the annual lavendar fields to bloom and the bullfighting festival to begin.

You'll leave wishing the whole world smelled of lavendar

Situated in the Occitanie region of France, Nimes enjoys the benefits of its Provencal surroundings, with olive groves, vineyards, and lavendar fields aplenty, as well as the nearby Parc National des Cevennes. For a glimpse at how the Romans once made use of the surrounding lands, pay a visit to the nearby Pont du Gard, an impressive ancient Roman aqueduct that crosses the Gardon River, about 30 minutes northeast of the city. If you opt for a Nimes vacation rental on the outskirts of town, consider an historic farmhouse in the foothills of the rolling Monts Garrigues.

Transportation to and around Nîmes

Fly into Montpellier (MPL-Montpellier - Mediterranean), the closest airport, located 26.8 mi (43.2 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you could also fly into Nimes (FNI-Garons), which is 5.9 mi (9.6 km) away.

If you're traveling by train, Nîmes Station, Nimes (ZYN-Nimes SNCF Train Station) and Saint-Césaire Station are the main stations in the city.