Arènes de Nîmes

The Arena of Nîmes (French: Arènes de Nîmes; Occitan: Arena de Nimes) is a Roman amphitheatre in Nîmes, Southern France. Built around 100 AD, shortly after the Colosseum of Rome, it is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world. It is 133 metres (436 ft) long and 101 metres (331 ft) wide, with an arena measuring 68 by 38 metres (223 by 125 ft). The outer facade is 21 metres (69 ft) high with two storeys of 60 arcades. It is among the 20 largest Roman amphitheatres of the 400 in existence. In Roman times, the building could hold 24,000 spectators, who were spread over 34 tiers of terraces divided into four self-contained zones or maeniana.

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Key facts

Created

90

Listed as

classified historical monument (1840)

Location

Nîmes

Official website

www.arenesdenimes.com

What to know

During Roman times, the Arena of Nîmes functioned as an arena where gladiators battled each other and wild animals. The advent of early medieval Christianity marked the end of these events, prompting the transformation of the amphitheater into a fortress and subsequently a walled town. The 19th century saw the restoration of the arena, accompanied by the removal of houses that had been constructed inside it.

Today, the Arena of Nîmes is the site of two annual bullfights during the Feria de Nîmes, and it is also used for other public events like the reenactment of antiquity "The great Roman Games" and for concerts.

On your route

Driving through France or Belgium? Vaut le Détour places this stop on your itinerary with your real arrival time, a lunch spot open at that hour, and fuel or charging.

Nearby

• maison carrée, 0.5 km away
• ancienne cathédrale Saint-Trophime à Arles, 27.8 km away
• arènes d'Arles, 27.9 km away
• Monuments romains et romans d'Arles, 27.9 km away
• Les Alyscamps, 28.8 km away
• théâtre antique d'Arles, 27.9 km away
• temple de Diane, 1.0 km away
• Nemausus, 0.3 km away

Frequently asked questions

What is there to see near Arènes de Nîmes?

Nearby: maison carrée (0.5 km), ancienne cathédrale Saint-Trophime à Arles (27.8 km), arènes d'Arles (27.9 km), Monuments romains et romans d'Arles (27.9 km). Each one can become a detour on your route.

How do I buy tickets for Arènes de Nîmes?

Tickets for Arènes de Nîmes are sold online (Tiqets ticketing, instant confirmation, tickets on your phone). The booking link is on this page.

When was Arènes de Nîmes created?

Wikidata gives 90 as its date of creation or foundation.

Is Arènes de Nîmes a protected monument?

Yes: classified historical monument (1840) (source: Wikidata).

Facts and key figures: the Wikipedia article “Arena of Nîmes” (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0), retrieved on 2026-08-05. Opening hours and prices are deliberately left out: they change too fast to be reliable anywhere but the official website.