NIMES
In Nīmes, one period runs into another. Set on the Roman Domitian Way running from Spain to Italy, it is a place where several cultures have met and, at the same time, the different periods that have marked the city have blended to form a unified architectural and cultural entity.
It was built to last at a time when the Amphitheatre, The Maison Carrée, the Temple of Diana, the Tour Magne and the Pont du Gard aqueduct formed a remarkable, fascinating architectural group. It all still exists, in an incredibly fine state of conservation!

Here, contemporary features go hand with history. Nīmes is restoring its sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth century maisons and is spreading southwards. It is restoring the marvels of antiquity and entrusts its town planning projects to the greatest designers. See-among other projects-Carré d'Art by Lord Norman Foster, Le Colisée by Kisho Kurokawa and Nemausus by Jean Nouvel. Decidely, Nīmes inspires great builders! Its strenght and dynamism are now focused on the future.

A southern town, a blend of Latin and Andalusian, Nīmes cultivates the art of good living and shares its pleasures with the visitor in the street and at mealtimes.
A typical feature of Nīmes is its liveliness. Shops, galleries, antique dealers, boutiques and other interesting features are spread throughout the town and the visitor can always be sure of a warm welcome.
The sun shines for 300 days a year and so it is difficult to resist the appeal of the café terraces in the squares in the city centre and along the boulevards.

In addition to the pleasant atmosphere of the city, visitors can taste a whole range of local products and specialities grown or made in the area.
When it comes to the pleasure of eating, Nīmes can hold its own in both quality and quantity! Here, visitors can find and taste the 'Brandade de Nīmes', ‘tapenade', Petit pāté nīmois', 'fougasse' and also lamb, salt cod, Pelardons (Cévennes goats' cheeses), olives and especially the famous local 'Picholine' variety, game…
The restaurateurs of Nīmes promote this rich, varied cuisine and use local products that illustrate the richness of the local cuisine wherever possible.
Most dishes are served with the finest wines made in the region such as 'Costičres de Nīmes'. Red, rosé or white, the quality of this AOC (appellation d'origine controlée) wine has improved steadily for the last twenty years and so 'Costičres de Nīmes' is now on the wine lists of the best restaurants.

Don not hesitate anymore : come and discover the unique personality on this southern town. Secretive Nīmes will open its heart to you.

WHAT’S ON…

Mediterranean Festival of the Olive Tree
2009 - April 4 and 5
2009 will celebrate the eleventh Mediterrannean Festival of the Olive Tree (Journées Méditerranéennes de l’Olivier). This massive event dedicated to olives and everything that is related to it (how it is made, how it is used…) will take place once again at the famous and beautiful Arčnes de Nīmes in southern France, during the Rameaux’s week end on the 4th and 5th of April 2009.The main focus of these two days will be the oil industry and the olive tree’s soil. Visitors will be able to meet the organizers and marvel at about fifty stands installed at the foot of the Arenes, each related to a different aspect of olives, from 10 AM to 6 PM. Olive oil producers from all over the Mediterranean Basin (Southern France, Spain, Greece, Tunisia…) will be pleased to talk about their passion, among with people who use olives or olive oil as an ingredient (chocolates, sweets, cooked meats…) or even art.The theme of this year is built around around one of the main preoccupations of our time : « oil industry and sustainable development ». This will be an incredible opportunity to meet professionals, of all the sector, this coupled with the fact that people from all around the Mediterranean Basin will be there, making it possible to compare how different the methods used are regarding olives and everything that is related to it. There will also be conferences, where the scientific aspect and the professional aspect of this industry will be put into light.
www.ot-nimes.fr or www.terra-olea.org

Wine Harvest Feria
2009 - September 17 to 20
Held since 1952, the Féria, in true Spanish style, combines bullfighting, bull running, concerts and improvised events. Famous throughout Europe, it is first and foremost a popular event. Twice a year (in spring an autumn), nearly two million visitors pour into the streets of the town. But they are not all bull-fighting aficionados. Everybody enjoys the excitement, the entertainment that fills the town and joins the music and dancing. This atmosphere must be something like the riotous festivals that used to take place in the Middle Ages.Dozens of 'bodegas' (improvised bars) spring up all over the town and people gather to drink Pastis (a local aniseed-flavoured drink), sangria and fino, dry sherry from Spain in a very funny and friendly atmosphere!
www.ot-nimes.fr

SPECIAL OFFERS

Golf pass
All year round - Excepted Feria's period.
1 night / 2 days - 1 or 2 people at a hotel (including breakfast). Choice of category of hotel
Also including:
A Pass for access to the Campagne and Vacquerolles golf courses.
A regional-style dinner in a reputed restaurant in Nīmes (starter, main dish, dessert, a glass of wine to accompany each dish, a coffee, mineral water).
Personal welcome at a wine estate, wine tasting.
For non-golfer accompanying persons, instead of the golf courses access to the Roman Nīmes Pass (entry to Arena, Maison Carrée, Tour Magne - valid for 3 days); a beauty/Well-being Pass (choice pf several formulas).
Not including: transport. Everything which is not specified.

Dreaming of a holiday combining golf and the art of living? In Nīmes, The Convention and Visitors Bureau and its partners propose a customised stay for golfers and non-golfer accompanying persons at an exceptionelly reasonable price! Two golfs courses, beautiful Roman monuments, our art of living, beauty or well-being pass ... Make your choice: 2, 3 or 4 stars hotel, weekend or midweek. Choose your dates, we will be pleased to welcome you! from 160€ per person

Office de Tourisme et des Congrčs de Nīmes
Incoming service
6 rue Auguste
30 020 Nīmes cedex 1
France.
Web site: www.ot-nimes.fr
Email groupes@ot-nimes.fr
Tel.: 0033 (0) 4 66 58 38 20 /15
Fax: 0033 (0) 4 66 58 28 19

By plane: 1 hr (direct line London-Nīmes by Ryanair), 3 others airports nearby (Montpellier, Marseille, Avignon). Highways A9 - A54 from: Lyon: 3 hrs - Marseille: 1 hr 30 - Montpellier: 40 mins - Nice and Toulouse: 3 hrs. By train: Paris TGV: 2 hrs 51 mi

Wine and heritage pass
All year round except Feria's period.
1 or 2 nights / 2 or 3 days, 1 or 2 people from 79 euros per person at a hotel with breakfast included (choice of hotel category).
Package includes:
Personal welcome at a wine estate, a wine tasting, a regional-style dinner in a reputed restaurant in Nīmes (starter, main dish, dessert, a glass of wine to accompany each dish, a coffee, mineral water). Entry to the monuments and museums of Nīmes, an audio guide to explore the town at your own speed in complete freedom and a present on arrival).
The transport and everything which is not specified not included.

Pleasure for both your palate and your eyes! Roman rhymes with friendliness in Nīmes. Discover our art of living, the splendour of our monuments and our generous appellation contrōlée" wines "Costičres de Nīmes"! 1 or 2 nights at a hotel breakfast included.
A choice of 1 or 2 nights, a 2 - 3 or 4 stars hotel, weekend or midweek. Choose your dates from 79€ only!

Office de Tourisme et des Congrčs de Nīmes
Incoming service
6 rue Auguste
30 020 Nīmes cedex 1
France.
Web site: www.ot-nimes.fr
Email groupes@ot-nimes.fr
Tel.: 0033 (0) 4 66 58 38 20 /15
Fax: 0033 (0) 4 66 58 28 19

By plane: 1 hr (direct line London-Nīmes by Ryanair), 3 others airports nearby (Montpellier, Marseille, Avignon). Highways A9 - A54 from: Lyon: 3 hrs - Marseille: 1 hr 30 - Montpellier: 40 mins - Nice and Toulouse: 3 hrs. By train: Paris TGV: 2 hrs 51 mins - Lyon TGV: 1 hr 20 mins - Marseille: 1 hr.

Transport Partner
Low fares are in Nīmes

www.ryanair.com