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Origin and history

The Nîmes arenas are a Roman amphitheatre built in late 1st century (c. 90 AD) in the colony of Nemaususus, now Nîmes. Intended for public entertainment such as gladiator fighting, it could accommodate 24,000 spectators. Its elliptical architecture (133 m long, 101 m wide) and its two-level arcade facade make it a Roman engineering model, inspired by the Colosseum but adapted to local resources.

In the Middle Ages, the building was transformed into a fortified village (the castrum arena), housing 220 houses, two churches and a castle. The steps served as a stone quarry, while the arcades were blocked to make it a fortress. It was only in the 19th century, under the impulse of Francis I and then Napoleon III, that the houses were destroyed and the monument restored, notably by architect Henri Révoil (1863).

Today, the arenas combine heritage and modernity: they host bullfighting, concerts (Nîmes Festival), and historical reconstructions like the Roman Days. Ranked as a Historic Monument in 1840, they also house unique remains, such as the cruciform room under the track, discovered in 1865, or antique decorations (laden romulus and Remus, bull busts).

The site, managed by Edeis since 2021, offers accessible tours (audioguides, tactile models) and facilities for people with disabilities. Despite continuous restorations (until 2034), certain parts, such as the littic or the vomittoria, retain their Roman authenticity. The amphitheatre remains a symbol of romance in Occitanie, competing with that of Arles.

Architecturally, the building is distinguished by its almost intact internal circulation system, 60 arcades per level, and its velvet (toilet stretched on 120 masts to protect spectators). Recent excavations (Inrap, 2017) revealed inscriptions attributing its construction to Titus Crispius Reburrus. Biodiversity is also remarkable, with the Roman clausilia, a gastropode introduced from Italy during its construction.

Culturally, the arenas hosted legends (Miles Davis, Tina Turner, Rammstein) and television events (The Song of the Year, Telethon). Their current capacity (13,000 seats) makes it a major place for ferias (Pentecôte, Vendanges) and sports (Coupe Davis, fencing). Since 2013, individual visits have been prohibited for security reasons, following several suicides.

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