Forget dusty museums. In Provence, the Roman Empire isn’t a history lesson—it’s a living, breathing part of the landscape. Beneath the region’s golden sunlight, ancient roads, weathered arches, and colossal amphitheaters whisper of an empire that once ruled the continent.
Nowhere is that Roman legacy more alive than in Arles and Nîmes, two southern French cities boasting the best Roman ruins in Provence.
These aren’t static replicas of Rome—they’re reminders of how deeply the Romans shaped southern France. Their monuments stand not as relics, but as working parts of vibrant, modern communities, where markets buzz beside millennia-old walls and concerts echo through ancient arenas.
Arles: Roman Amphitheatre and Van Gogh’s Inspiration
Founded in the 1st century BC, Arles rose as one of the most important Roman colonies outside Italy. Its strategic position on the Rhône River made it a hub for trade and culture—a role it still holds today.
The city’s centerpiece, the Arènes d’Arles, is a colossal monument that still roars with life. Built to hold over 20,000 spectators, it once hosted fierce gladiatorial combat. Today, you can hear the staccato rhythm of corridas (bullfights) and the thrum of modern concerts, proving this structure continues to beat with purpose.
Nearby, the Roman Theatre of Arles continues to host performances beneath its towering columns, while the Thermes de Constantin, once imperial baths, reveal how even daily rituals were elevated to architectural art.
Though centuries separate them, Arles’s Roman grandeur and its later claim to fame—Vincent van Gogh’s vivid paintings—share a similar spirit: transforming the ordinary into the eternal.
Nîmes: Home of the Flawless Maison Carrée and Les Arènes
If Arles feels like a historical bridge, Nîmes stands as Rome’s boldest statement in France. The Romans built this city with unparalleled ambition, and their indelible imprint remains everywhere you look.
Originally settled by the Celts and later colonized by the Romans around 28 BC, Nîmes—known in antiquity as Nemausus—was one of the wealthiest cities in ancient Gaul. It flourished under Emperor Augustus, who endowed it with temples, forums, and aqueducts that made it a miniature Rome.
Its prosperity was fueled by textile production, agriculture, and trade, leaving a lasting mark still visible in its grand architecture and enduring symbol: a crocodile chained to a palm tree, representing Egypt’s conquest and Nîmes’s loyalty to the Empire.
The Maison Carrée, a flawless architectural wonder, has survived nearly two millennia with its Corinthian columns and elegant symmetry intact. Step inside, and you’ll find a stunning short film tracing the city’s ancient history—a clever blend of modern storytelling and preservation.
A few blocks away, Les Arènes de Nîmes rises even grander than its Arles counterpart. Its massive elliptical structure, modeled after the Colosseum, once staged battles for 24,000 spectators. Now, it fills with music, light, and applause during summer festivals, proving that great design transcends centuries.
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The Humbling Feat of the Pont du Gard Aqueduct
Just beyond the city lies one of the most extraordinary feats of Roman engineering: the Pont du Gard Aqueduct. This triple-tiered structure, built around 19 BC, carried water across the Gardon River for over 30 miles.
Standing beneath its arches, it’s impossible not to feel awe at both its sheer beauty and breathtaking precision—a balance modern architecture still strives to achieve.
Tracing the Roman Footsteps: What to See in Arles and Nîmes
The legacy of Rome runs deeper than its structures; it shaped Provence’s urban layouts, engineering, and even its leisurely pace of life.
In Arles’s Museum of Antiquity (Musée de l’Arles Antique), intricate mosaics and marble statues reveal the artistry behind the empire.
In Nîmes’s Musée de la Romanité, striking glass architecture wraps around ancient stones—a perfect metaphor for how this region carries history into the present.
Roman roads once linked these cities to Avignon and the Mediterranean, carrying wine, olive oil, and ideas across Gaul. Today, travelers follow those same paths—seeking the same sun-soaked beauty that captivated the Romans two thousand years ago.
Travel Tips for Visiting Arles & Nîmes
| Category | Advice |
|---|---|
| Best Time to Visit | April to June or September to October, when the light is golden and tourist crowds are thinner. |
| Getting There | Both cities are easily reached by train from Avignon or Aix-en-Provence. Visit one as a day trip, or stay overnight to see the monuments glow under evening lamplight. |
| How to See Both Cities | With efficient regional trains, you can explore both in one day—start in Nîmes, enjoy lunch near the Maison Carrée, then take the 40-minute train to Arles for an afternoon among Roman theaters and Van Gogh’s inspirations. |
| Best Base for Exploring | Aix-en-Provence makes an ideal home base, with direct train connections to both Arles and Nîmes and easy access to other Provençal highlights. |
| What to Pack | Comfortable walking shoes (you’ll be on ancient, uneven stone!), a hat, and a camera. |
| Nearby Add-Ons | The Pont du Gard, the charming town of Uzès, or the Camargue’s wild landscapes make for excellent side trips. |
| Must-See Roman Sites Checklist | Arles: Arènes d’Arles, Roman Theatre, Thermes de Constantin. Nîmes: Les Arènes de Nîmes, Maison Carrée, and the Pont du Gard Aqueduct (a short drive away). |
Walk Among Living History
Arles and Nîmes stand as twin testaments to the endurance of Rome’s influence in southern France. Their amphitheaters, temples, and aqueducts are not silent ruins—they are living monuments that still pulse with the energy of local life.
In Provence, the Roman world isn’t confined to textbooks or fenced-off relics—it lives in the rhythm of everyday life. Cafés hum beside amphitheaters, children play where emperors once stood, and travelers are reminded that the past isn’t truly gone—it simply speaks a quieter, more enduring language.
To walk here is to tread the line between two millennia—a journey where history and humanity meet beneath the Provençal sun.
Want to experience these timeless cities for yourself?
Our 2026 France: Paris & Provence Tour includes time in the sun-soaked south, where history and culture blend beautifully across France’s most evocative landscapes.
Hi, I’m Jack Baumann – founder of Guidester. I’ve spent over 15 years living and traveling throughout Europe, and I created Guidester in 2014 to help others experience the best of what Europe has to offer. What started as a passion project has grown into a full-service travel concierge and tour company, designed to make your journey smoother, richer, and more meaningful.
Want to know more about my story? Click here to learn more about me.
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