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Published: June 10th 2011
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Our exploration of Provence continued today with visits to Nimes and Pont du Gard. With some pre-planning and a very useful street map of Nimes we were able to find our way easily into the centre of Nimes and locate an empty spot four floors down in a handy carpark. It always amazes us that when we emerge from these underground caverns, whether carparks or metro stations, the views are quite unexpected. This time we appeared beside a church at the end of a plane tree-lined boulevard and opposite the remnants of Port Augustus, the Roman gateway to the city.
It was lunchtime in the city and street cafes were doing great business. The budget doesn’t always stretch to such delights so we bought a delicious raisin brioche and drink each, found a spot by a fountain in a square surrounded by cafes, and enjoyed our wonderful delicacies. In even the narrowest streets there seems to be space for outdoor eating and drinking, with traffic, passers-by and the ever present little dogs all carrying on regardless.
The Maison Carree seemed to take pride of place in the centre of the old city. It was quite prominent in its own square and
is reputed to be one of the best preserved Roman temples in the world with fine examples of Corinthian columns. We visited the Cathedrale Notre-Dame et St-Castor at a time when an organist was playing the organ. The music gave extra meaning to our visit of this Romanesque cathedral part of which was built in 1092.
An interesting little bit of information was that in Nimes the product known as serge de Nimes developed in the 17th and 18th centuries. We now know this product by the name denim.
Leaving Nimes was just about as straight forward as arriving and with our trusty little street map we took some of the narrowest of streets out of the city and headed for Pont du Gard. Much has been written about this incredible Roman structure that we won’t give a history lesson here. But what has been written is all true. It truly is a magnificent structure and well worth the entrance fee (15€ per car) to see it. Technicians were busy setting up equipment in preparation for a sound, light and fireworks display this weekend. It would be a wonderful sight but budget restraints and more things to see prevent a
second visit.
Our drive back took us through typical Provence countryside with little villages appearing and just as quickly disappearing. Olive trees were growing everywhere and rocky outcrops covered the landscape. It was getting late so we have included a return visit to this area on our way back from Avignon tomorrow when we will have time to stop and wander.
It has been another great day where we have been able to visit places in a relaxed way without battling hordes of people. Again the weather has been kind but lately there always seems to be the threat of rain. Fortunately it has not materialised.
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