Eco Hotels in Nîmes
Sustainable stays in the French Rome — ancient arenas, Roman temples and 300 days of Mediterranean sun
Why Stay in Nîmes
Nîmes is one of the most rewarding cities in southern France — a place where two thousand years of history sit comfortably alongside pavement cafés, contemporary art and the warm buzz of Occitan culture. Known universally as the "French Rome," this city of around 150,000 people contains Roman monuments that rival anything in Italy. The Arena of Nîmes, a 1st-century amphitheatre still used for concerts and the famous Féria bullfighting festivals, dominates the old town. Just steps away stands the Maison Carrée, recognised by UNESCO in 2023 as the best-preserved Roman temple anywhere in the world.
Beyond the ancient stones, Nîmes offers a vibrant cultural scene. The striking Musée de la Romanité, designed by Elizabeth de Portzamparc and opened in 2018, faces the Arena across a modern plaza. The Jardins de la Fontaine — elegant 18th-century gardens built over a Roman spring sanctuary — climb a wooded hillside to the Tour Magne, the oldest Roman monument in France. And just 25 kilometres away lies the Pont du Gard, the towering UNESCO-listed aqueduct bridge that once carried water to the city.
Nîmes also serves as an ideal gateway to the Camargue wetlands, the wine estates of Costières de Nîmes, the medieval hilltop town of Uzès and the lavender fields of Provence. With over 300 days of sunshine a year and a hot Mediterranean climate, it is a destination that delivers in every season — and by choosing an eco-certified hotel through IMPT, your stay helps offset carbon emissions while supporting sustainable hospitality.
Nîmes at a Glance
Getting the Most from Your Stay
Nîmes is well connected by road, rail and air, making it easy to reach from across France and Europe. The city's airport, Nîmes-Alès-Camargue-Cévennes (FNI), sits about 15 kilometres southeast and receives flights from several European cities, including seasonal Ryanair services from London, Brussels and Marrakech. For most travellers, however, the TGV high-speed train is the most convenient option. Nîmes Gare Centrale is served by direct TGV services from Paris Gare de Lyon in around three hours, with regular connections to Montpellier (30 minutes), Avignon (20 minutes), Marseille (1 hour 15 minutes) and Lyon (1 hour 30 minutes).
Once in the city, the compact historic centre — called the Écusson for its shield-like shape — is easily explored on foot. Most of the major Roman sites are within a 15-minute walk of each other. For day trips, a rental car opens up the Pont du Gard (30-minute drive), the Camargue (45 minutes to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer), Uzès (40 minutes) and the Alpilles. Alternatively, Edgard regional buses connect Nîmes to the Pont du Gard and surrounding towns.
When planning your itinerary, allow at least two full days for the city itself — one for the Roman sites and museums, another for the Jardins de la Fontaine, shopping in the old town and a leisurely lunch at Les Halles market. Add a third day for the Pont du Gard or a Camargue safari, and a fourth if you want to explore the vineyards of Costières de Nîmes or visit the Saturday pottery market in Uzès. Spring and early autumn offer the most pleasant temperatures; in high summer, plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning and save the air-conditioned Musée de la Romanité for the heat of the afternoon.
Where to Stay — Areas of Nîmes
Écusson (Historic Centre)
The heart of Nîmes, with narrow medieval streets, the Maison Carrée, the cathedral and a concentration of restaurants and boutiques. Ideal for first-time visitors who want to walk everywhere. Expect charming 17th- and 18th-century townhouse hotels with interior courtyards.
Near the Arena
Hotels within steps of the amphitheatre put you at the epicentre of the Féria action. The Boulevard Victor Hugo and Esplanade Charles de Gaulle offer larger modern hotels with rooftop terraces, perfect for watching the sunset light up the Arena's stonework.
Jardins de la Fontaine Area
A quieter residential quarter on the northwest side of the old town, close to the historic gardens, the Tour Magne and the Quai de la Fontaine canal. Suited to travellers who prefer a peaceful base with green surroundings while still being a short walk from the centre.
Route de Montpellier
The main commercial corridor south of the centre, with newer aparthotels and chain hotels offering parking and easy access to the A9 motorway. A practical choice for road-trippers or families visiting the Pont du Gard and Camargue by car.
Top Eco Hotels in Nîmes
Things to Do & Attractions — Places to Visit in Nîmes
Arena of Nîmes (Les Arènes)
The iconic 1st-century Roman amphitheatre is one of the best-preserved in the world. Built around 70 AD, it seated up to 24,000 spectators for gladiatorial combats and animal hunts. Today it hosts concerts, the Féria bullfights and cultural events. Audio-guided visits explain its extraordinary engineering, from the vomitoria exit tunnels to the upper galleries.
Maison Carrée
This perfectly proportioned Roman temple, completed around 2 AD, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023 — recognised as the best-preserved Roman temple anywhere. Standing in the Place de la Maison Carrée, it now houses a short immersive film about the city's Roman origins. The Corinthian columns and carved frieze are breathtaking, especially in the late-afternoon light.
Jardins de la Fontaine
Created in the 18th century around a Roman spring sanctuary, these are among the oldest public gardens in Europe. Stone balustrades, canals, fountains and ancient plane trees frame the ruins of the Temple of Diana. Winding paths lead up the wooded hillside to the Tour Magne at the summit, offering panoramic views over the city and the garrigue landscape beyond.
Tour Magne
The tallest surviving tower of the Augustan-era city walls, the Tour Magne rises 36 metres above the Jardins de la Fontaine. Climb the internal staircase for sweeping views that stretch from the terracotta rooftops of the Écusson to the Cévennes mountains on the northern horizon. Originally a pre-Roman watchtower, it was enlarged by Augustus around 15 BC.
Pont du Gard (Day Trip)
Located 25 kilometres northeast of Nîmes, this three-tiered Roman aqueduct bridge spans the Gardon river gorge. Built in the 1st century AD to carry water to Nemausus, it stands 49 metres high and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site includes a museum, the 1.4 km Mémoires de Garrigue trail through Mediterranean scrubland, and swimming spots in the river below during summer.
Musée de la Romanité
Opened in 2018 directly opposite the Arena, this stunning contemporary museum designed by Elizabeth de Portzamparc houses one of Europe's finest collections of Roman artefacts. Highlights include a gallery of Roman mosaics, a pre-Roman section on the Iron Age Volcae Arecomici tribe and a rooftop terrace with Arena views. The glass-and-stone facade evokes a toga's drapery.
Temple of Diana
Nestled within the Jardins de la Fontaine, this atmospheric ruin dates to the 2nd century AD. Despite its name (a 16th-century invention), its original purpose remains debated — it may have been a library, a nymphaeum or part of an imperial cult sanctuary. The soaring barrel-vaulted nave and crumbling walls make it one of Nîmes' most photogenic spots.
Camargue Day Trip
The Camargue wetlands, about 45 minutes south of Nîmes, are one of Europe's great wildlife habitats. Pink flamingos wade through shallow lagoons, white Camargue horses gallop across salt marshes and black bulls roam freely. Visit Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer for its fortress-church, take a 4x4 safari or a horseback ride through the marshes, and sample tellines (tiny shellfish) and gardiane de taureau (bull stew) at a waterside cabin.
Walking & Hiking near Nîmes
Jardins de la Fontaine to Tour Magne Walk
A gentle 1.5-kilometre uphill walk from the grand entrance of the Jardins de la Fontaine through shaded garden terraces, past the Temple of Diana, and up the wooded hillside to the Tour Magne at the summit. Allow 30 to 45 minutes each way, with plenty of benches and viewpoints along the route. The panoramic views from the top make the climb worthwhile.
Pont du Gard — Mémoires de Garrigue Trail
A 1.4-kilometre loop trail through the garrigue scrubland on the north bank of the Gardon, near the Pont du Gard. Interpretive panels explain the Mediterranean ecosystem — holm oaks, kermes oaks, wild herbs and dry-stone terraces — and how the Roman engineers managed the landscape. Flat and family-friendly, it takes about 40 minutes at a relaxed pace.
Camargue Nature Walk — Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
The Digue à la Mer trail follows an old sea dyke along the edge of the Étang de Vaccarès lagoon, offering superb birdwatching — flamingos, herons, avocets and terns are commonly spotted. The flat, easy path is accessible by foot or bicycle and stretches for several kilometres through the heart of the Camargue Regional Nature Park. Best visited early morning or late afternoon for wildlife and light.
Nearby Cities
Montpellier
38 km — 30 min by train
Avignon
43 km — 20 min by TGV
Arles
35 km — 30 min by train
Uzès
25 km — 40 min by bus
Frequently Asked Questions about Nîmes
Why is Nîmes called the French Rome?
Nîmes earned the nickname "French Rome" because it contains some of the best-preserved Roman monuments anywhere outside Italy. The Arena of Nîmes is a 1st-century amphitheatre that once seated 24,000 spectators. The Maison Carrée, recognised by UNESCO in 2023, is considered the best-preserved Roman temple in the world. Add the Tour Magne, the Temple of Diana, the Castellum divisorium (a Roman water distribution point) and the nearby Pont du Gard, and it becomes clear why the comparison holds. The city was an important colony called Nemausus during the Roman Empire, and its coat of arms still features a crocodile chained to a palm tree — the symbol of Augustus' victory in Egypt.
How far is Pont du Gard from Nîmes?
The Pont du Gard is approximately 25 kilometres northeast of Nîmes, about a 30-minute drive via the D6086 or the A9 motorway. This UNESCO-listed Roman aqueduct bridge is one of the most popular day trips from the city. You can reach it by car, guided tour bus, or the Edgard regional bus service. The site includes a museum, walking trails such as the 1.4 km Mémoires de Garrigue loop, and summer swimming spots in the Gardon river below the bridge.
What is the Féria de Nîmes?
The Féria de Nîmes is a major annual festival celebrating the city's bullfighting and Camargue traditions. There are two main ferias each year: the Féria de Pentecôte (May or June, lasting five days and attracting up to a million visitors) and the smaller Féria des Vendanges in September, marking the grape harvest. During the ferias, the city comes alive with street parties, peñas (brass bands), parades, traditional bodega bars serving sangria and pastis, and corridas (bullfights) held in the ancient Arena. Even if bullfighting is not to your taste, the street atmosphere is electric and unmissable.
What is the best time to visit Nîmes?
Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) offer the most pleasant conditions for visiting Nîmes. The weather is warm and sunny — typically 20°C to 28°C — without the extreme heat of July and August, when daytime temperatures regularly exceed 35°C. Spring coincides with the Féria de Pentecôte and the start of the Festival de Nîmes concert season (June to July), which stages major international acts in the Arena. September brings the Féria des Vendanges and the grape harvest across the surrounding Costières de Nîmes wine region. Winter is mild (8°C to 12°C) and quiet, ideal for museum visits and uncrowded Roman sites.
Is Nîmes worth visiting for a day trip?
Absolutely. Nîmes is just 30 minutes by train from Montpellier, 20 minutes from Avignon and around 1 hour 15 minutes from Marseille, making it an easy day trip from several southern French cities. In a single day you can visit the Arena, the Maison Carrée, the Jardins de la Fontaine and the Musée de la Romanité, with time for lunch at Les Halles market or in the Écusson pedestrian streets. However, if you also want to explore the Pont du Gard, the Camargue or the surrounding wine country, staying at least one or two nights in an eco-certified hotel is highly recommended.
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