Things to do · By the Mas Bois Fontaine team, your hosts in Nîmes · 13 July 2026

Things to do in Nîmes in a weekend: itinerary and must-sees

A weekend in Nîmes means two thousand years of Roman history under the open sky, sunlit lanes and the Mediterranean within reach. Here is our two-day itinerary for discovering things to do in Nîmes and leaving wanting to come back.

Day 1: Roman Nîmes, on foot

Start with the city’s signature monument: the Nîmes Arena (Arènes), one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world, still used for shows and ferias. A few steps away, the Maison Carrée, a Roman temple and UNESCO World Heritage site, faces the contemporary Carré d’Art designed by Norman Foster. Take your time at the Musée de la Romanité, whose collections tell the story of the ancient city, right opposite the amphitheatre.

Afternoon: the Jardins de la Fontaine and the Tour Magne

Head to the Jardins de la Fontaine, among the oldest public gardens in Europe: pools, statues and shady staircases climbing towards the Tour Magne, a remnant of the Roman city wall with views over the whole city and the garrigue scrubland. A perfect cool break when the southern sun is blazing.

Evening: where to have dinner and a drink in Nîmes

In the evening, the Écusson, Nîmes’s historic centre, fills with café terraces. For a more rustic night out, the guinguette (open-air bistro) La Maison MH, open in the summer season, on the estate, serves local cuisine, aperitifs and concerts under the string lights: the Nîmes atmosphere, in a quiet setting.

Day 2: markets, lanes and the good life

Stroll through the Halles de Nîmes covered market to taste brandade, pélardon cheese and local olive oil, then lose yourself in the lanes of the Écusson, among town mansions, little squares and boutiques. It is the best way to feel the easy pace of life in Nîmes.

Afternoon: a day trip from Nîmes

Nîmes is a great base. In under 45 minutes, you can reach the Pont du Gard, the Camargue and its horses, the beaches of Grau-du-Roi, or the medieval town of Uzès. We cover it all in our guide to day trips from Nîmes and on the Services & Area page.

Where to stay for your weekend in Nîmes?

To do everything on foot, choose the centre. To come home to peace and quiet, enjoy a garden and a pool and pay less, choose the Costières countryside, 15-20 minutes from the Arena: that is where you will find our holiday rentals with character and the studios of La Madone du Mas. We have put together a dedicated guide: where to stay in Nîmes.