Page 219 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

DRIVE 20: Two Thousand Years of Bridges 217

Tour Magne RUE NAT IONALE 0 metres 250
Jardins de R DU GD COUVENT P D U M Û R IER D'ESPAG N E R UE DES L O M BA R D S R U E DES O R AN GER S 0 yards 250
Temple de La Fontaine QUAI DE LA FONTAINE RUE AUGUSTE PERRIER Cathédrale
Diane R UE GÉ NÉRAL RUE GUIZOT Notre Dame et
Maison Saint-Castor RUE PIERRE SEMARD
R UE D E L' H ORLOG E
Carré GRAND’ RU
RUE BOISSIER
R DU POISE
RU E GRE TRY
RU E D E S AUVE A V ENUE JEAN- J A U RÈ S Carré d’Art RUE DE LA MADELEINE RUE DES MARCHANDS RUE DU CHAPITRE E Musée BD D E L’AMIR A L CO U RB E T RU E R OUS SY
RU E D U C A DEREAU RUE DES CHA SS A IN T ES BD V I C TO R -H UG O Fountain
B D D A U D E T
R UE FE RNAND P EL L O U TIE R
Archéologique
RUE TRAVERSIERE RUE DE L'ETOILE R UE D E L'ASPIC RUE DES GREFFES RUE NOTRE DAME
RUE F R E S Q U E

RU E E M I LE JAMA IS R U E P O R T E D E RUE J EA N - RE BO U L Arènes RUE RÉGALE B D D E P R A G U E RUE M ON JARDIN
RUE PRAIER
Les
R UE S T. MATH IEU
R UE DES TILLEULS
BO U LE VA R D J E AN - J AU R
RUE SAINTE-CATHERINE È S RUE DE L' HOTE L DI EU R U E B IG OT F R A N C E RUE DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE BD DE LA LIBÉRATION
R UE BRICO NNE T
AVE NU E GEO RGES POM PID O U
R UE DAG OBE RT
RUE D E L’AB AT TO IR AV ENU E J EA N - JA UR È S RUE DU MA IL R UE BERN ARD ATON BOULEVARD DU SERGENT TRIAIRE
RUE D E LA C ITÉ FO
RU E DU CIRQ UE ROMA I N
Musée des
R UE BO U R DA LO UE ULC
Beaux-Arts
roof terrace res taurant for a drink and Courbet. Turn right to the Musée
a superb view of the Roman temple. Archéologique 7 (closed Mon) in a
Next head along Rue Général Perrier, former Jesuit mon astery. It has a
past the Halles, the market hall, great splendid collection of Roman statues,
for regional food specialities. Turn sarcophagi, entabla ture, glass, coins
right on Rue Guizot and Place de and mosaics. From the museum
l’Horloge into the old town, con tinue down Boulevard de
turning left along Rue de l’Amiral Courbet and
la Madeline to reach Place Boulevard de la Libération
aux Herbes. Here is the to the amphi the atre, Les
Romanesque Cathédrale Arènes 8 (open daily except
Notre-Dame et St Castor 5, for pub lic holidays and perfor-
badly damaged during the mances), built at the end of Above Quiet and charming Quai de la
Wars of Religion (1562–98), An intricate metal the 1st century BC. It can Fontaine, Nîmes
although the remains of a postbox seat 20,000 specta tors and
Romanesque sculp ted is used for music and opera VISITING NÎMES
frieze can still be seen on the façade. performances. To fully appreciate the Tourist Information
Much of the old town is well massive structure with its vast oval 6 rue Auguste, Nîmes, 30020; 04 66 58
preserved, with nar row streets and arena and tiers of seats, explore the 38 00; www.ot-nimes.fr
intimate little squares. To see some echo ing stone arcades that encircle
Parking
fine buildings walk from Place aux it or climb round the top tier. Cross There is parking on Boulevard
Herbes down Rue des Marchands Boulevard de la Libération and walk Jean-Jaurès.
then take the right fork into Rue down Rue de la Cité Foulc to the
Auguste Pelet to Rue de l’Aspic. Turn beautiful Musée des Beaux-Arts 9 EAT AND DRINK
right into Place du Marché, where (closed Mon). It houses a collection of
artist Martial Raysse designed the paintings by French, Italian and Dutch NÎMES
fountain 6, a modern version of masters. From here return to the
Vintage Café moderate
Nîmes’ emblem, a crocodile tied to a Arènes and head up Boulevard Victor Friendly little café in the Old Town,
palm tree. Its origin is attrib uted to Hugo, turn ing left at Place Questel serving drinks and a Provençal menu.
Roman legion naires, veterans of the and right onto Rue Fernand Pelloutier, 7 rue de Bernis, 30020; 04 66 21 04 45;
Egyptian campaign. Return to Rue de at the end of which is the car park. closed Sun, Mon
l’Aspic and turn left back up the road, ª From Nîmes take the D979 towards Le Lisita moderate–expensive
This excellent restaurant has a large
then right into Plan de l’Aspic and Uzès, crossing Pont St-Nicolas, pausing
shady dining terrace. Specialities
into Rue du Chapitre. Turn right into for a look at the winding Gorges du
include pigeon with wild mushrooms.
the Grand’ Rue then left into Rue du Gardon. Drive uphill to Uzès. Park 2 boulevard des Arènes, 30000; 04 66
Poise to Boulevard de l’Amiral just below the Tour Fenestrelle. 67 29 15; closed Sun, Mon
Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €20; moderate, €20–€40; expensive, over €40