When we think about Roman history, Italy tends to get most of the attention.
Rome itself, Pompeii, the Colosseum. They're extraordinary places, and understandably popular.
But you don't have to go to Italy to discover some remarkable Roman buildings.
In southern France, there's a city that has preserved some of its Roman past rather spectacularly.
Welcome to Nîmes.
Here, you can stand outside a Roman amphitheatre, explore a beautifully preserved ancient temple and discover the city's history in a modern museum.
And the lovely thing is that you don't need to spend hours travelling between them.
For anyone who enjoys a bit of history alongside good food, attractive streets and a relaxed atmosphere, Nîmes could make a very appealing short break.
A Roman arena in the middle of the city
Imagine wandering through a French city, turning a corner and finding yourself face to face with a Roman amphitheatre.
That's exactly the sort of moment that makes visiting somewhere new so enjoyable.
The Arènes de Nîmes is one of the city's great landmarks, built around the end of the first century AD.
And it's remarkably well preserved.
It's not quite as famous internationally as Rome's Colosseum, but that doesn't make it any less fascinating.
The arena has witnessed centuries of history and is still used for events today.
For me, this would be one of the main reasons to visit Nîmes.
You can explore the monument, learn about its Roman origins and get a real sense of the scale of a building constructed almost two thousand years ago.
Just remember that it's also a functioning event venue, so visiting arrangements can vary depending on what's happening during your stay.
And being an ancient amphitheatre, there are steps and uneven surfaces to consider if mobility is an issue.
But even seeing the arena from outside is a wonderful introduction to the city.
A Roman temple that's survived nearly two thousand years
If the arena isn't enough to impress you, Nîmes has another extraordinary piece of Roman history.
The Maison Carrée.
This beautifully preserved Roman temple stands in the heart of the city, surrounded by buildings and streets from a completely different era.
It's quite something to see a structure of this age still forming part of everyday city life.
The temple dates from the early Roman imperial period and was associated with the imperial family of Augustus.
Today, it's recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I particularly like the contrast between the ancient building and the modern city around it.
You can stand in the square, appreciate the architecture and imagine just how different this place would have looked almost two thousand years ago.
I'd certainly give it a proper stop rather than simply taking a photograph on the way to somewhere else.
And of course, there's always the opportunity to find somewhere nearby for a coffee afterwards.
History is considerably more enjoyable when you're not trying to fit eight monuments into one morning.
A museum that brings the history together
Directly opposite the arena is the Musée de la Romanité, Nîmes' museum dedicated to its Roman and archaeological heritage.
This is somewhere I'd definitely consider visiting, particularly if you're interested in understanding the stories behind the monuments.
The collections include archaeological discoveries, mosaics and exhibits exploring the area's history.
Rather than simply looking at an ancient building and wondering what happened there, the museum can help put everything into context.
And because it's so close to the arena, the two make a natural pairing.
You could explore the amphitheatre in the morning, enjoy lunch and spend part of the afternoon in the museum.
Or do it the other way around if you'd rather learn about the history first.
For families, the museum can also be an interesting addition, especially if the children enjoy discovering how people lived in the past.
I'd just make sure any activities or exhibitions you're hoping to enjoy are running during your visit.
Somewhere to enjoy a slower afternoon
After a morning exploring Roman buildings, you might fancy a change of pace.
And Nîmes has a lovely option.
The Jardins de la Fontaine are landscaped gardens combining green spaces, fountains and ancient remains.
They're a beautiful contrast to the busy streets and historic monuments elsewhere in the city.
You could enjoy a leisurely walk, find somewhere to sit or simply spend some time outdoors.
There's also the Tour Magne, an ancient tower standing on higher ground above the gardens.
Reaching the tower involves more of a climb, so it isn't something everybody needs to include.
Personally, I think there's something to be said for enjoying the gardens without feeling obliged to reach the highest possible point.
A holiday isn't a competition to see how many steps your fitness tracker can record.
And after a morning spent exploring the arena and museum, a quieter afternoon might be exactly what you fancy.
Don't forget you're in southern France
It's easy to focus on Nîmes' Roman history, but there's another side to a holiday here.
You're in southern France, surrounded by cafés, restaurants, markets and opportunities to enjoy the local atmosphere.
One of the pleasures of a city break is finding somewhere nice for lunch, wandering through the streets and discovering the places that aren't necessarily listed as major attractions.
I wouldn't want every day in Nîmes to be a timetable of museums and historic buildings.
I'd want some time to enjoy the city itself.
Perhaps a long lunch, a browse through the shops or an evening discovering somewhere lovely to eat.
There's nothing wrong with planning the main attractions and leaving the rest of the day open.
In fact, I think that's often the best way to enjoy a city break.
How I'd spend three days in Nîmes
If I were putting together a three-day visit, I'd keep the itinerary fairly relaxed.
After all, the whole point is to enjoy the destination, not spend the holiday watching the clock.
Day one: Arrive and find your feet
Once you've arrived and checked into your accommodation, spend some time exploring the centre.
Head towards the Maison Carrée, wander around the surrounding streets and perhaps enjoy your first look at the Roman arena.
Then find somewhere nice for dinner.
No need to start racing around museums after a day of travelling.
Day two: Roman history takes centre stage
I'd make this the main sightseeing day.
Start with the amphitheatre, giving yourself enough time to explore and learn about its history.
Then enjoy lunch before visiting the Musée de la Romanité.
The two are close together, which makes this a convenient way to spend the day without constantly travelling across the city.
And if you're happy with one major visit rather than two, there's absolutely no reason you can't save the museum for another day.
Day three: Gardens and a little more exploring
I'd leave this day slightly more flexible.
Perhaps visit the Jardins de la Fontaine, take a closer look at the Maison Carrée or spend time exploring the streets and shops.
If your departure is later in the day, there may be time for another visit.
If you're leaving early, though, I'd consider adding another night rather than trying to cram everything into the morning.
Because three days of sightseeing and a two-night holiday aren't necessarily the same thing.
That difference can be surprisingly important when comparing short breaks.
One small detail about the railway stations
Here's something I would definitely want to mention before booking.
Nîmes has two railway stations that are worth distinguishing.
There's Nîmes Centre, which is conveniently located for the city itself.
And there's Nîmes Pont du Gard, which is outside the centre.
They're connected by rail services, but arriving at Nîmes Pont du Gard isn't quite the same as stepping off the train near your hotel in the city.
So if you're travelling by train, perhaps after flying into another French airport, it's important to look at the actual station on your ticket.
A cheaper or quicker-looking journey isn't necessarily the most convenient once you've included the onward travel.
And for a short break, I'd rather spend the time enjoying Nîmes than trying to work out how to reach it.
Where should you stay?
For a first visit, I'd start by looking at hotels and apartments within easy reach of the historic centre.
Most of the main attractions are fairly close together, which makes a central location particularly appealing.
You could head out in the morning, explore the Roman sights, return to your accommodation if you wanted a break and then go out again for dinner.
But I'd still look at the exact location.
A hotel described as central might not be quite as close to the places you're visiting as you'd expect.
If you're considering an apartment, it's also worth knowing how check-in works and whether the building has a lift if that's important to you.
And there's another thing to consider.
Because the arena hosts events, some accommodation nearby might be affected by crowds or noise during particular dates.
That could be part of the attraction if you're attending an event, or something you'd prefer to avoid.
For a short city-focused holiday, I wouldn't automatically add car hire.
It could make more sense to stay centrally and enjoy exploring on foot, using local transport where necessary.
When would I recommend visiting?
For a holiday involving plenty of walking and sightseeing, I'd generally look at spring or autumn.
Southern France can get very hot during the summer, particularly when you're spending hours exploring historic sites and city streets.
Spring and autumn could be lovely times to enjoy Nîmes at a more comfortable pace.
Of course, the exact dates would depend on your transport options, accommodation availability and whether there are particular events you'd like to experience.
And if there's a specific exhibition, museum or monument you're excited about, we'd make sure the visiting arrangements work for your chosen dates.
Who would enjoy a Nîmes city break?
I think Nîmes would be a brilliant choice for couples, friends or solo travellers who enjoy history, architecture and exploring somewhere at their own pace.
It's particularly appealing if you're interested in Roman history but fancy discovering somewhere beyond Italy's famous archaeological sites.
Families could enjoy it too, especially if the children are interested in ancient history or enjoy exploring unusual buildings.
But I wouldn't suggest that every child will be fascinated by a museum full of Roman artefacts for hours on end.
That's where choosing the right balance of activities matters.
And if your ideal holiday revolves around a beachfront hotel, waterslides and organised entertainment, I'd probably suggest looking at a different kind of destination.
A little Roman history without the rush
What I really like about the idea of Nîmes is how much fascinating history is concentrated in one place.
You've got a remarkable amphitheatre, a surviving Roman temple, an excellent museum and beautiful gardens.
All within a city where you can also enjoy the everyday pleasures of being in southern France.
It's somewhere that could work beautifully for a few nights, particularly if you'd like a holiday with a bit of history and plenty of time to enjoy yourself.
You don't need to visit every Roman monument in southern France to have a wonderful Roman-themed city break.
Sometimes a few remarkable places, enjoyed properly, are more than enough.
If Nîmes sounds like your kind of destination, tell me how long you'd like to go for, where you'd prefer to travel from and what sort of experiences interest you.
I'll help investigate the flights, rail connections and accommodation to find a break that works for you.
Let's plan your French city break