Three years ago my husband and I went to Provence and visited Arles. In June, we%26#39;re returning with another couple and our young children. Since we%26#39;ve already been to Arles, I%26#39;d like to see Nimes, another city rich in Roman antiquities, but I am concerned that my friends will be missing something if we skip Arles. Does someone who is familiar with both cities have any comments/opinions regarding which of these cities may be the most appealing for family travellers?
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The rail transportation between Arles and Nimes is frequent and fast and it%26#39;s a relatively short walk to the areas of interest from each station. I suggest you visit both since using either city as a base you can easily get to the other for a day. I couldn%26#39;t possibly say that the Roman antiquities of one place are more interesting than those of the other. I would base my decision on the kind of place in which I would rather stay. Arles has a small town, slow-moving feel to it but the downtown area of Nimes has more of a big city, bustling quality which reminded me of Rome on a much smaller scale.
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Haven`t been to Arles, but been to Nimes twice %26amp; loved it.
Very civilised,clean %26amp; lots of history.
Either Arles or Nimes would make good bases to explore both %26amp; beyond.
Have a good trip,
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I would agree with the man from Covington. Last April I had planned to stay a couple of days in Arles but everything was full because of a running of the bulls. Therefore I lodged in Nim��s at the New Hotel and am glad I did.
Nim��s is much less touristy and one can wealk to the train and take the short hop to Arles, which probably is more pleasant when the streets aren%26#39;t full of people who have come to witness a Pamplona scene.
REH, Sousas, SP, Brazil
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I%26#39;ve been to Arles but haven%26#39;t stayed there and just returned from several days in Nimes in February. Nimes is delightful; the Roman ruins are amazing. The town is very walkable; we had a car but never used it in town. The center has a medieval flavor--narrow streets, many of them pedestrian only, interesting shops interspersed among the ruins. We stayed at the Atria which was very nice. We went with another couple who had never been anywhere in southern France, and they were enchanted with Nimes. It%26#39;s easy to either drive or take the train to Arles.
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We%26#39;ve been to both Arles and Nimes with our family several times, and I agree that it%26#39;s a difficult choice. Nimes has the arena and the absolutely incredible Maison Caree in the centre of town. It%26#39;s also got some delightful walking streets, and in the summers every Thursday night they have music and market stalls throughout the pedestrian streets in the centre. The evening is called %26quot;Les Jeudis de Nimes%26quot; (Nimes%26#39; Thursdays) -- it%26#39;s a great time to plan to be there for dinner and a stroll.
Arles is much smaller, but the arena is also great. The antique theatre is ruins, but still worth a look. The new museum of Roman antiquities has excellent exhibits on everyday life and commerce in Roman Arles.
Ironically I%26#39;ve never stayed in either place. We always book a nearby gite (rural farmhouse) and drive to both places.
Also not to be missed in the area is the Pont du Gard -- the Roman aqueduct just north of Nimes. You%26#39;ll never forget it. We%26#39;ve kayaked under it twice with our kids. You rent the kayak upstream, pack a baguette and some cheese, and picnic along the way. It%26#39;s a very shallow river so you can swim if you like, and finish up with a glorious view as you float under the Pont du Gard. Your kayak rental place will pick you up and bring you back to your car.
This is a fantastic area of France. Have fun.
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