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Nimes |
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Situated in the
southern French region of Languedoc-Roussillon, Nīmes is the
capital of the Gard department and has a population of around
150,000. Nīmes has a rich history dating back to the Romans, and
its early prosperity was linked to its location on the Via
Domitia, an important transit route constructed from Italy to
Spain around 118 BC. Many important buildings and monuments of
the Roman Empire have survived to the present day, making Nīmes
a popular tourist destination. The elliptical first or second
century amphitheatre and the Maison Carrée or Square House, a
small temple dedicated to the sons of Agrippa, are the best
preserved of their kind in France. The nearby Pont du Gard is
part of a 50 kilometre stone-built Roman aqueduct and a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Later monuments include the 18th century
Fountain Gardens, the first public gardens in France.
Influential modern architecture has also left its mark on the
city with a museum of modern art by Norman Foster and a
residential complex by Jean Nouvel. Historically, Nīmes is
probably best known for its textiles - the name of the rugged
cotton twill fabric used for blue jeans is derived from Serge de
Nīmes, the place where it was first produced.
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