Nîmes - Arènes (Amphitheatre) 
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The chief monument in Nîmes is the Amphitheater, which is located in the town center. It dates from the A.D. first century and is 133m/146yd by 101m/110yd in area and up to 21m/69ft high. With a seating capacity of 21,000 it is admittedly not one of the largest, but it is one of the best preserved of all the 70 known Roman amphitheaters, especially in the upper part.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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In the fifth C. the Western Goths turned the arena into a fortress. In the Middle Ages it served as a knight's castle, then as dwellings for about 2,000 people, who had their own chapel.
Since 1989 the amphitheater has been covered with a 4,800sq.m/5,740sq.yd plastic roof, supported on 30 metal pillars, which are fixed in the non-Roman part of the building fabric. In this way cultural events can be held here even in winter, while in summer the roof is removed.
Address:
Arènes / Amphitheatre, Boulevard des Arènes, F-30000 Nîmes, France
Hours:
May 1 to October 31: 9am-6:30pm
November 1 to April 30: 9am-12pm, 2pm-5pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), May Day / Labor Day (May 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: Closed on performance days.
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
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Outer wall of the Roman Arena in Nimes.
Night view of the amphitheatre in Nimes.
