NIMES - The Old and the New

Home to the greatest wealth of ancient buildings in France, travellers have long flocked to this historic city. Nimes was established as a Roman colony around 28 BC and became one of the most important towns in France, positioned on the route between Italy and Spain. Its prosperity during this period can be witnessed by the many remains of many Roman buildings which can still be visited today. One of the most impressive of the Roman buildings is the elliptical Roman amphitheatre, which looks just like the one in Rome. It was built sometime around the 1st century AD and it is the most well-preserved Roman arena in the country. Back in the days of the Romans, the amphitheatre seated 20,000 blood-thirsty spectators for gladiatorial combats. It is still in use today as an arena for bull fighting and concerts. The UNESCO World Heritage listed 'Pont du Gard' is also a highlight. The bridge has three levels with an aqueduct on the top level. Incredibly, the precise construction of the bridge eliminated the need for the use of mortar at all. The stones were cut to fit together perfectly, despite the fact that some of them weighed up to 6 tons! And you can't miss the Maison Carrée (AKA 'Square House'), which is the best-preserved Roman temple anywhere in the world.

Yet it's not all ruins and Romans. Whilst preserving its historic splendour, Nimes has become a vibrant and modern city. Friendly competition between nearby Montpellier has sparked a wealth of innovation in Nimes. It hopes to be recognised the most dynamic and energetic city in the Languedoc. By enlisting architects such as Jean Nouvel and Philippe Starck, Nimes is well on its way to overtaking Montpellier!

If you get an overdose of visiting the monuments and ruins, wandering the streets of the old town in a pleasant pursuit in itself. Stop and have a leisurely coffee at one of the many cafes during your explorations. With 300 days of sunshine, take a seat outside the cafe to bask in the warm sun and people-watch as the pedestrians pass by. The Jardins de la Fontaine ('Gardens of the Fountain') is lovely, too. It is built around the Roman thermal ruins and features fountains, trees, grottoes and a lovely view from the Roman tower. Nimes also has many museums, which you could peruse in the unlikely event of rain!



Apart from the Roman ruins, Nimes also has another large claim to fame - it is the home of Denim! Get it - Denim... De Nimes? The fabric was originally named 'Serge de Nimes', and at some point the 'Serge' was dropped and the name became Anglicised into today's word, 'Denim'. During the 1849 Californian gold rush, Levi Strauss was engaged in the profitable business of manufacturing trousers for miners. In search of a sturdy fabric which would withstand the tough conditions in the mines, he stumbled upon 'Serge de Nimes'. He began to import it and it became incredibly popular - as I'm sure you're aware of!




Villas

Looking for a nice place to stay near to Nimes? Consider a beautiful villa for your holiday in Southern France!

GR009A Mas Sevenne

Sleeps 8-10
A very spacious hill top village house in the foothills of the Cevennes, near St Hippolyte du Fort, in the Gard. Large private garden with swimming pool. A blend of old stone and contemporary. All rooms and terraces have stunning views.

GR008A Villa Nadege

GR008A Villa Nadege
Sleeps 12.

Villa Nadege is an exceptional and quite luxurious country house which has been finished and decorated to an extremely high standard with a large attractive garden, a huge summer kitchen, and a private heated pool measuring 12mx6m.


It is situated on a hill in a picturesque Mediterranean village, in an area of great natural beauty with great views; an intimate landscape of small hills with limestone scarps and 
hardy Garrigue woodland.

GR010A Domaine Fontaine du Mas

GR010A Domaine Fontaine du Mas

A huge stone-built farm in the Cevennes foothills close to Uzes, sleeping up to 30. Private park with tennis court and pool. This large villa in the Languedoc is ideal for large groups as well as weddings, seminars, family reunions and celebrations.

For more of out properties check out our website www.southfrancevillas.com.

Contributions by Katarina Byrne

Eze - The Fairytale Village of the Cote D'Azur: Beaches, U2 & Botanical Gardens

Eze is a town so picturesque you can barely believe it's real. Perched precariously 427 metres above sea level upon a hilltop which runs down to the seaside, this medieval jewel is a holiday destination to rave about. Coastal, tropical and historical - what's not to love about this place?


The beach is easily accessed from the village - it's about a half-hour walk down Chemin de la Mer, shaded by pine and olive trees. Once you reach the bottom, you will find typical Mediterranean beaches and plenty of things to do - water sports, swimming, sun-bathing, alfresco dining, picnics.

 If you are a U2 fan, you could even hunt for Bono's villa - the beach which it overlooks was the location for the filming of the video clip for U2's song 'Electrical Storm'.

Yet Eze is not simply a coastal town - it has even more to offer. Nearby is an enormous forest of over 600 hectares. If you enjoy hiking through natural splendour, you should be more than satisfied with what's on offer here. 

The vegetation in this region is lush and tropical - the warm climate fostering the growth of bananas, dates, oranges and pine trees.

The Village itself also offers many hours of exploration and enjoyment. Set upon on an imposing cliff overlooking the ocean, it isn't hard to lose yourself in the stunning panoramic views. Wander the narrow winding streets and browse the many boutiques. Some of these shops are in charming cave-like buildings, carved into rock. Squeeze inside these tiny boutiques to browse for some original gifts or art for those unlucky enough to be left back home, or even a special gift for yourself!

Eze also contains an exotic botanic garden with rare species of plants, with 360 degree panoramic view of the Cote D'Azur. The collection of Cactus from Africa and America is a refreshing contrast against the French countryside. Among the succulents are 400 species of exotic plants flourishing in the mild, warm climate of Eze. The gardens were created in 1950 on the ramparts and ruins of a 12th century castle.

If these descriptions aren't enough to convince you of the town's enchanting fairytale charm, take it from Walt Disney, who spent a great deal of time in Eze. According to the locals, the town also inspired Nietzsche in the writing of his famous work, 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra'.

This village is extremely popular and sometimes the charm of the town can be overwhelmed by the swarms of tourists - don't let this put you off though. 

 Generally, the masses of tourists only stop in the town for a few hours, snapping up a few souvenirs before jumping back on to the bus and driving off to the next town. 

 So while it may become swamped by tourists for a few hours around the middle of the day, the town remains relatively quiet during the early morning, late afternoon and the evenings.  

If you want to avoid the hub-bub, go for a picnic on the beach or in the forest during the middle of the day, and return to lazily stroll through the village as the sun begins to head for the horizon. If you really want the place to yourself, avoid summer and enjoy it in the spring or early autumn.

Another plus about this town is that it is only a few kilometres from Nice - one of the best cities in France. There's plenty to do and see in Nice and it is well worth taking the time to explore it. It is also very close to ritzy Monaco if you feel the need for some glitz and glamour.

Where to stay?

For a range of luxury villas in Alpes-Maritimes visit our website www.southfrancevillas.com.

Contributions by Katarina Byrne