The Arena of Nîmes

For a long time it was believed that the Emperor Augustus bestowed the amphitheatre on the city but it is now agreed that its construction dates from the second half of the 1st century or the beginning of the 2nd, the same time as the Colosseum of Rome.

Following the fall of the Roman Empire, the arena was transformed into a fortress by the Visigoths. Many invasions ensued and threatened the security of the people of Nîmes who decided to take refuge in the amphitheatre, which was easy to defend. In the Middle Ages, the edifice became a veritable fortified village with wells, houses, two churches and even a castle, all of which existed up to the 18th century.
The place became insalubrious and in 1786, as part of a city rehabilitation project, the destruction of the houses and restoration of the amphitheatre was decreed.
The first phase of the works was interrupted during the revolutionary period to be resumed during the Second Empire.
In 1813, the Prefect of the Gard authorized the first bull races and the arena was soon able to return to its original function. The first Spanish running of the bulls took place in 1863.

The arena is open to the public and an audio-guided tour lets the visitor discover its architecture and history. A multimedia space is devoted to the gladiators and to bullfighting; enigma games are offered for children.

In late April, the Grands Jeux Romains present reenactments of ancient Roman games.

The arena is the setting for the Féria de Pentecôte, created in 1952 and based on the Spanish bullfighting festivals. A great popular event, it attracts more than a million people each year.