PRESS FILE Table of contents

3-23 I - History & heritage 5 A bridge between the ages 7 The Roman monuments 15 Private mansions & the Remarkable Heritage Site 16 Protestantism 19 Nîmes today 24-32 II - An art of living 26 Nîmes, an art of living 28 Nîmes, the garden city 30 Nîmes, the awards 31 Fragrances & flavours 33-35 III - The sense of celebration 34 The Feria 36 Events that are not-to-be-missed 37-39 IV Curiosities & anecdotes 38 The fascinating story of Denim 38 The palm tree and the crocodile 40-47 V - New achievements 42 A new city 48-51 VI - Major projects 50 The Musée de la Romanité 51 The UNESCO application 52 Location & access 3

I History & heritage 4 A bridge between the ages

Built on the Via Domitia, In the 16th century, during porary art with the treasures Nîmes, already occupied the Wars of Religion, the of the past in the Carré d’Art 4,500 years ago, seems Protestants, excluded from Jean Bousquet, built by to have really been born in public life, turned to com- the architect Norman Fos- the sixth century BC, from merce. The clothing they ter. This bold mix of styles a spring in the Jardins de produced was exported is also found in the work of la Fontaine. In the begin- throughout Europe and to Philippe Starck, Jean-Michel ning, this source of life en- the Spanish Indies. The city Wilmotte , Martial Raysse, couraged the Celts to settle became rich and was deco- Kisho Kurokawa , Jean Nou- there and to associate the rated. Many mansions testify vel, Takis ... city with Nemausus, the pa- today to the prosperity of this tron god of the spring. period. No other city of this size can Then the Romans took over In the Age of Enlightenment, boast such achievements Gaul and the god of the the dilapidated walls were from such prestigious archi- 5 spring whose flow, too irre- demolished and Louis XV’s tects and artists. This theme gular to fill their needs, led architect-engineer, Jacques continues with the construc- to the construction of a 50 Philippe Mareschal, de- tion of the Musée de la Ro- km aqueduct, including the signed the Jardins de la manité signed by Elisabeth imposing Pont du Gard, to Fontaine around the ancient de Portzamparc, which is supply the city with water. shrine. scheduled to open on June During the Gallo-Roman pe- 2, 2018. riod, Nîmes became a colo- In the 19th century, the ny under Latin law and was city became wealthy again decorated with sumptuous owing to the silk industry and monuments. the production of wine. The train station, offering a beau- The medieval city was or- tiful view of the monumental ganised around the Arènes Fontaine Pradier, was built in transformed into a fortress, 1842 and beautiful buildings seat of the feudal power, such as the Courthouse, the Cathedral, symbol of churches, the Jules Salles the power of the Church Gallery, cafes and banks and the Maison Carrée, a gave the city a modern flair. Roman temple that became the house of a noble. Trade Today, Nîmes is looking to developed around local pro- the future and its history is ducts such as grapes, olives part of the present. In 1993, and livestock. the city combined contem- 6 The Roman monuments

The Amphithéâtre

Built at the end of the 1st shade from the sun. The century A.D., the Amphithéâ- fore-body parts of bulls sur- tre of Nîmes is one of the mount the arcade, certainly largest and best preserved reserved for the magistrates in the Roman world. This and the Emperor, because elliptical building measuring they provided access to the 133 m. by 101 m. and 21 best seats. m. high on two levels, has almost always fulfilled a fes- On another decoration, fa- tive function. To understand cing the Courthouse, is a its architecture, we must sculpture of a wolf suckling return to the history of the two children, Romulus and events that took place there, Remus, the mythical foun- because it was designed for ders of Rome Inside, there 7 the combats of gladiators was space for 24,000 spec- (and animals) that had until tators to occupy 34 tiers of then been held in the Forum. stands. Five circular galle- Their success thus favoured ries, hundreds of stairs and the appearance of a dedi- “vomitoires” (corridors lea- cated place offering good ding to the stands) permitted visibility of the gladiator ring. access to the seats without the different social classes The Amphithéâtre of Nîmes meeting, the first tier being was built shortly after the reserved for notables. Colosseum of Rome, with stone from two quarries near Nîmes. It incorporates the characteristics of the Flavian period: a façade with two !? levels of arcades, an attic, pilasters and Tuscan-style DID YOU KNOW? half-columns. It is the only The basement of the Am- Amphitheatre which has phithéâtre was equipped preserved its attic. Pierced with trap doors and hoists stones were placed at the to move scenery, fighters top for poles on which were or animals in the ring. hung the velum, canvas ca- Today, two galleries with a nopies designed to provide cruciform layout still re- main under the ring. The Arènes owe their excep- At the beginning of the 18th is a magnificent setting for tional state of conservation century, 700 people still li- outdoor shows: historical to their use throughout the ved there. Cleared of these re-enactments, concerts, centuries. constructions in 1812, they performances, bullfights, In the Middle Ages, they found again their voca- Camargue bull races... played the role of a fortress, tion as buildings for public The restoration of the monu- the seat of feudal power em- events and the races held ment, which was unable to bodied by the Viscount of there contributed largely to escape the ravages of time, Nîmes and the Knights of the the art of bullfighting. The is currently underway. Arena. From the 14th centu- first Camargue bull race ry, they became a residential took place in 1839 and the area (houses, warehouses, first bullfight in 1853. Today, churches and château all the Amphithéâtre, the most crowded together). visited monument of the city,

8 The Maison Carrée

This Roman temple of the im- It was one of those so-called since the 11th century: al- perial cult was built in the 1st “pseudoperipteral” imperial ternately a private mansion, century of our era, in honour temples, of which there were a consulate, a stable, a 9 of the adopted grandchildren many in the Roman world. convent ... But it is to Colbert of the Emperor Augustus, Located in the heart of the that we owe the ridiculous Caius and Lucius Caesar, ancient Forum, enhanced by proposal of dismantling it “Princes of Youth”, as evi- its Corinthian capitals and and rebuilding it in Paris! denced by an inscription on surrounded by a portico of After the French Revolution, the pediment, deciphered in which there are still some it became the headquarters 1758 by the Nîmes scholar traces left, this building, of the first Prefecture of Gard Jean-François Séguier. As measuring 26 meters long and the Departmental Ar- the faithful were not allowed by 15 meters wide and 17 chives before inaugurating to enter the temple, the ce- meters high, was originally the creation of museums in remonies were held outside. dedicated to the cult of the Nîmes in 1823. The Maison Carrée, sur- Emperor. rounded by porticoes and enhanced with a platform, The ceiling of the pronaos !? faced another building (pro- (vestibule) dates from the bably the curia). beginning of the 19th centu- The entire complex consti- ry; the present door was built DID YOU KNOW? tuted the Forum, the econo- in 1824 by two Compagnons This building is called the mic and administrative heart du Devoir. Maison Carrée because of the ancient city. The Maison Carrée owes the word rectangle did not its exceptional state of pre- exist yet at the time of its servation to continuous use construction. Rectangles were called “long squares” and thus it has kept this name. The square was re-designed in 1993 by Norman Foster, the architect of the Carré d’Art Jean Bousquet, in order to !? create a spatial unit between the two buildings. Between 2006 and 2010, it underwent DID YOU KNOW? major restoration work that In 1785, Thomas Jefferson (who would focused on the façades and become President of the United States in floors deteriorated by frost 1801), then the American Ambassador in and pollution. The aim has Paris, received a letter from the Directors been to respect the spirit of of the Virginia Public Buildings asking him to the construction through the provide them with plans for the construc- use of ancient materials and tion of the Virginia Capitol. Jefferson innovative techniques for a immediately chose the Maison Carrée as discreet and efficient restora- a model, entrusted the plans to a French tion. architect, Charles Louis Clérisseau, which The restoration required was then modified and sent to Richmond. 44,000 working hours, 96 For Jefferson, the Maison Carrée was the blocks of stone and a cost most beautiful architectural model left by of €3.5 million. Since March Antiquity. Oddly enough, Thomas Jefferson 2014, the film «Nemausus, knew the Maison Carrée only through a few the birth of Nîmes» is scree- drawings and only really contemplated it in ned continuously every day. 1787 during a trip to Nîmes and the South of 10 France. The Tour Magne

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Visible for miles, it signalled the presence of !? the city and the imperial temple located at the foot of the hill, around the spring. The only remaining tower of the Roman walls, DID YOU KNOW? it was the tallest and most beautiful tower in In 1601, Michel de Notre-Dame, the ancient city. known as Nostradamus, predic- Indeed, Nîmes had one of the largest enclo- ted that a gardener would one sures in Roman Gaul; its perimeter 7 km long day find a treasure in the Tour enclosed an area of 220 ha. Provided with 10 Magne. Learning this, François gates and protected by 80 towers, the rampart Traucat, a gardener in Nîmes, had a dual purpose of defence and prestige. sent a letter to King Henry IV to Today, the upper floor has disappeared and request the right to search the at 32 meters, it dominates the Jardins de la tower. The King accepted on Fontaine. From the top, the view of Nîmes is condition that the gardener fi- remarkable. nance the work and give him part Near the Tour Magne, the pines are bent over of the treasure. The gardener by the force of the Mistral wind from the North dug out the tower and searched and oaks and pines make up most of the ve- for the treasure but found no- getation on the hill, giving it the air of an Italian thing. Thus weakened, the top garden. section of the Tour Magne then crumbled. 12 The Jardins de la Fontaine

Laid out around the spring, doc) was the designer. Es- garden” with its cypresses, the cradle of the Roman city, prit Dardailhon, then his son its arbour and lawn bowling the Jardins de la Fontaine Pierre Dardailhon, super- green, characteristic of the are among the leading pu- vised the site. Mareschal’s way of life in the scrublands blic gardens in Europe. The ambition was to highlight the of the early 20th century. layout was arranged in the spring and the ancient ruins 18th century, under Louis in a composition inspired by Paths were laid out through XV, on the ancient site. French gardens. the laurel undergrowth that In the early 19th century, was neatly trimmed to form These «French» gardens Augustin Cavalier, Mayor masses of greenery under of 15 ha are adorned with of Nîmes, implemented the the trees. statues, balusters, benches plan for the hill and gave it and vases made of marble its name. The vegetation is This «Remarkable Garden» or white stone from Lens. In composed of different spe- certified by the Ministry of the lower part of the gardens, cies, such as Aleppo pines, Culture is a peaceful haven the lime trees reign, while in Holm oaks, cypresses, olive in which to wander. the upper part (Mount Cava- trees, arbutus trees, Judas lier), dominated by the impo- trees... These trees have fo- 13 sing Tour Magne (formerly liage all year round, clothing a Gallo-Roman tower) built the hill in multiple and subtle in the 19th century, Medi- tones of green. terranean species dominate the whole year. The creation Walkways were made, en- of these gardens began in abling strollers to discover, 1745, at the request of the among other things, the King of France, Louis XV. “grotto”, created in 1890, “the Jacques Philippe Mareschal rock garden”, a clever mix (the King’s Engineer and of rocks and Mediterranean Director of the fortifications plants typical of the mid- of the provinces of Langue- 19th century, and the “mazet !?

DID YOU KNOW? In the upper part of the gardens, in the cedar clearing, there is an aze- role hawthorn tree that Louis XIV particularly liked for its jelly and which he had planted in the King’s kitchen garden at Ver- sailles. The Temple de Diane

This is the most romantic monument but also the most enigmatic of Nîmes. Defini- tely associated with the imperial cult, we do not know its exact function. This building is the only monument remaining from the an- cient sanctuary.

It probably had two functions: that of a libra- ry and a hall for worship related to the ce- lebrations of the imperial cult. Admire the large vault above, the rhythm of the niches along the walls and the finesse of some of the sculpted panels at the back of the hall. From the 10th to the 16th century, this “Temple of the Fountain” was a chapel for a congregation of Benedictine monks who then abandoned it during the Wars of Re- ligion.

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The Castellum

The Castellum Aquae (water basin) was the terminal for the aqueduct in Nîmes. Indeed, the Romans were able to bring to Nîmes water from the source of the River Eure, near Uzès, owing to a 50-km aque- duct, of which the Pont du Gard remains the major work that is universally admired. Water thus emptied into the Castellum and from this circular reservoir (5.90 m in diameter and 1.40 m deep) carved in the stone, pipes brought water to monuments and public fountains and supplied the diffe- rent neighbourhoods of the city. It is a rare example of a Roman water basin that is still intact and, with the Castellum of Pompeii in Italy, one of the last remaining examples of this type still preserved in the world. Private mansions & the Remarkable Heritage Site

The façades of many mansions of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries have pre- served the Roman pillars and Corinthian capitals, as well as the triangular and cir- cular pediments inspired by the Temple 15 de Diane, the little romantic temple lo- !? cated in the Jardins de la Fontaine. You just have to look up to see the gargoyles DID YOU KNOW? and monster heads in the city-centre that Jean Nicot was born in Nîmes in 1530, seem to come from another era. probably in his father’s house on the site of the Pharmacy at the Place de A real policy of safeguarding and enhan- l’Horloge. He left Nîmes for Paris, where cing the ancient centre of Nîmes and its he worked as an archivist for the King cultural and historical heritage has now and, in 1559, Henry II sent him to Lisbon been put in place. Thus, the creation as the Ambassador for France. It was and delimitation of a Protected Area (Re- in Portugal that he learned about the markable Heritage Site) for the historic seeds of the petun, a plant from Ame- heart of the city was made official by Mi- rica, later known as tobacco. It is said nisterial Decree in March 1985. On an that when he returned to France he area of 41 ha, it covers the old city sur- presented it to the Queen. Transfor- rounded by its boulevards, known as the med into powder, it was used to treat “Ecusson”. migraines. On her advice, Catherine de The aim was to revitalise the old city- Medici used it to treat her son, Francis centre through renovation and rehabi- II. It was in these circumstances that litation. A Safeguarding and Develop- tobacco was given the name “d’Herbe ment Plan (PSMV) has been validated, à la Reine” (”Queen’s herb”) The bota- including in particular the indication of nists of the Court gave it the scientific buildings protected under the legislation name nicotiana tabacum, and nicotine on Historic Monuments. Soon the Re- became the learned name of one of its markable Heritage Site should expand components. from 41 ha to 109 ha, including the Jar- dins de la Fontaine. Protestantism

“This city, which some people Henry IV, by signing the the Protestants, which was like to call French Rome be- Edict of Nantes, thus opened maintained in spite of the cause of the beauty of its an era of peace, but his as- St. Bartholomew’s Day mas- ancient monuments, is also, sassination called everything sacre in 1572. like Geneva, a Protestant into question. The Catholic Rome, a metropolis of Hu- authorities reacted and, in In 1598, the Edict of Nantes guenot spirituality,” declared September 1562, the troops put an end to the Wars of André CHAMSON of the of the Governor of Provence Religion, granted freedom French Academy. were driven into the Rhone of conscience and worship River. to the Reformed Church, but Nîmes is a city deeply mar- This victory was followed by also imposed the restora- ked by the Protestant foot- the infamous St. Michael’s tion of Catholic worship. This print and a look at its past Day in 1567, known as Mi- agreement, which lasted explains it. This past still re- chelade, during which many twenty years, allowed Nîmes mains in the habits and prac- notable Catholics and cler- to develop its wool industry tices that permeate the daily gymen were massacred, and its silk industry. 16 life of part of the population. thus assuring the Protes- In 1561, on Calvin’s instruc- tants the monopoly of power tions, Pastor Mauget, who over the city. During the had come from Geneva, set French Wars of Religion, an up the Reformed Christian agreement was drawn up Church in Nîmes. between the Catholics and 17

In July 1629, Louis XIII ente- For over a century, from 1685 The Declaration of Human red Nîmes and published the to 1787, Protestants lived in Rights, in August 1789, “Alès Edict of Grace»: a new hiding, a period marked by brought religious freedom. A series of civil wars followed the rebellion of the Cami- pastor’s son, Rabaut Saint- and the Jesuits were granted sards, then by the so-called Etienne, actively participated half of the chairs of the colle- Resistance of the Desert in drafting it and it is indeed ge that until then were fully (the Assembly of the Desert to him that we owe Article X occupied by the Protestants. is still held every year in Mia- of the Declaration concer- From 1679, measures of let, in the Cevennes moun- ning the freedom of worship exclusion began: public of- tains and the nearby Musée and opinion. fices, certain professions du Désert is a witness to the Elected representative to and trades were prohibited history of Protestantism). the Estates General (he took to Protestants. The Edict For the members of the Re- part in the famous oath of of Fontainebleau, in Octo- sistance, punishment was the Jeu de Paume) in March ber 1685, revoked the Edict terrible: men were sent to 1789, Rabaut made a superb of Nantes: Protestantism no the galleys, women to pri- speech on the theme of tole- longer existed legally, their son (Marie Durand remained rance and was immortalised churches were destroyed, a prisoner in the Tower of by the painter David. no trace of the Protestant Constance in Aigues-Mortes After the Revolution, Protes- heritage from the 16th to the for 38 years). tantism resumed its march 18th century remains. They forward. can only be restored from memory! 18 Nîmes today

Carré d’Art Jean Bousquet

Facing the temple of ancient Today, the Carré d’Art is art and designed by the re- adapting to the requirements nowned British architect of the 21st century in the res- Norman Foster, the Carré pect of its architectural iden- d’Art Jean Bousquet is a tity. It was redesigned for temple of contemporary art. new uses with a preserved With its sober glass façade, architecture and heritage: this superb building features an improved reception, op- a library of several thousand timised services, a building books, a sound library, a me- adapted to new digital uses, dia library and the Museum high energy performance of Contemporary Art of the and increased accessibility. city since 1993. Reopening: April 2018 19 An imposing contempo- rary signature in the city- centre similar to the Centre Georges Pompidou in Pa- ris, it rises harmoniously in the area around the Maison Carrée, formerly the centre of the Roman Forum. The Museum’s collections consist of nearly 480 works and magnificent exhibitions are organised to give a broad idea of Contemporary Art from 1960 to the present day. This includes artistic movements from the South of France and all of Europe. !? The displays of the collec- tions, renewed each year, DID YOU KNOW? permit an in-depth approach Visitors can also see many to the great artistic move- other contemporary works ments. while walking around the

city. This “Exploded Mu- seum“ includes works by Ta- kis, Martial Raysse, Bernard Pagès, Philippe Starck... The place d’Assas

Formerly the location of the statues. laundry, supplied with water This is a place where sun, from the Fountain, it was in water, plants and minerals 1824 that it was named the are perfectly blended and Place d’Assas. where it’s pleasant to roam At the end of the eighties, the on its terraces on summer City of Nîmes entrusted the evenings. visual artist Martial Raysse with the task of restructuring this place by highlighting the water running from one end to the other between two monumental human heads representing Nemausa, the spring that gave its name to Nîmes, and Nemausus, the god of this source. In the middle, from a circular central basin, emerge four 20 columns and two hieratic

The Bus Shelter

This modern version of the bus shelter was created by Philippe Stark in 1987. Made of dark marble, it sits at the beginning of Avenue Carnot and represents the emblem of the City of Nîmes, a crocodile and a palm tree, the crocodile symbolised by a series of aligned cubes. The Colosseum

The entrance to the city from the South is marked by a he- mispherical building created by the Japanese architects Ki- sho Kurokawa and Mieko Inoue. The structure echoes the shape of the Roman amphitheatre and includes offices and housing.

Nemausus 21

Designed by the architect The two parallel buildings ded the Pritzker Prize in Jean Nouvel, who wanted to are designed to maximise March 2008. redefine social housing, this space, comfort and light in futuristic complex consists each of the 114 social hou- of two imposing vessels of sing units they provide. aluminium, sheet metal, iron In 2008, this building re- and glass. ceived the «Heritage of the 20th century» label and Jean Nouvel’s career was awar- The place du Marché

Famous for its palm tree and crocodile fountain, created in 1987 by the visual artist Martial Raysse, who thus featured the coat of arms of the City (the conquest of Egypt by the troops of Caesar in 31 BC, 22 during the battle of Actium), restaurants and cafes have flourished around this pretty square and its many terraces enable you to enjoy the art of living in Nîmes.

The Costières Stadium and Parnassus

In 1989, the archi- ding 12,000 cove- tects Vittorio Gregotti red) includes sports and Marc Chausse equipment annexes chose to create an in its four angles. Not English stadium for far from the Costières football and rugby Stadium is Parnas- where the spectator sus, a sports hall de- is very close to the signed by the same playground. This architects, which rectangular stadium, completes the sports with a capacity of complex. 20,000 seats (inclu- The Place du Chapitre

In the heart of the historic centre, nestled against the old Bishopric, the Provost and the Fine Arts School, a stone’s throw from the Cathe- dral, the Place du Chapitre is organised around a monumental stair- case fountain. The square regained its splendour in June 2007 owing to the work of the architects Dominique Pierre and Philippe Ghezzi. Large trees have been preserved on the lower part of the paved square. Built-in ground lighting casts a special colour at night on this setting where people like to dance the tango on summer evenings.

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II An art of living Nîmes, an art of living

A city with Mediterranean accents, Nîmes and people of all ages who, armed with their cultivates the art of living! The city, one of shopping bags, flock to the nearby covered the largest in the South of France, has a ty- market, Les Halles. pical variety of “scrubland” landscapes and A place not-to-be-missed, at the corner of a plain, the Costières Plain, where vineyards the Jardins de la Fontaine and in the shade extend to the delta of the Rhone River. A city of large trees, «Le Bosquet», is a paradise on a human scale, the Roman city has pre- on earth for fans of lawn bowling. Summer served a beautiful quality of life and a plea- and winter, when the weather is fine, this litt- sant lifestyle! With its brilliant sunshine 300 le garden is the scene of game parties with days a year, it is difficult to resist the call of the accents of the South, where the people the café terraces on the squares of the city- of Nîmes meet every day to perform this ty- centre and along the boulevards. pical southern French ritual. The cafes opposite the Amphithéâtre, on the 26 square of the Maison Carrée or facing the Cathedral, which evokes the High Middle Ages and the Renaissance, are popular places for moments of relaxation. There, you will meet the students from the School of Fine Arts or the neighbouring Conservatory The weekend is the time for the mazet! These small, dry stone houses in which our ancestors loved to relax on Sundays has remained a fa- vourite place for the people of Nîmes. They like to spend their days relaxing there, in the shade of the lilacs, under the arbour and to relax there, playing boules in the calm of the surrounding scrublands. Nowadays, the mazet often becomes the main house and many buildings are ma- zets that have been «en- larged».

27 Nîmes, the garden city

Nîmes has a plant heritage of year to flower and beautify Lastly, no less than 54 play- 365 ha of green areas, ran- the city. The management of grounds have been set up to ging from the historic Garden urban trees (manage, protect meet the need for relaxation of the Fountain to the Do- and maintain them) is also and awareness of children, maine de la Bastide and va- a priority for the City, with a and regulations are in place rious squares. In 2014, the “Tree Charter”, as the tree to govern the different uses city was awarded a fourth heritage of Nîmes is signifi- in the gardens and enable flower to the label of “Towns cant A hundred or so plant the best possible coexis- and Villages in Bloom” as a species populate the urban tence of multiple activities. reward for the beautification area (the plane tree and the of the living environment in hackberry tree are predomi- recent years, including the nant).In 2009, the City was transformation of the Espla- presented with the “National !? nade or the Allées Jaurès. Tree Award” for the mana- The city has focused on the gement of its tree heritage development, maintenance and the care provided to new DID YOU KNOW? 28 and enhancement of green plantations. It is now forbidden to smoke areas. in 56 green areas in the city, 150,000 plants are produced with parks and playgrounds in municipal nurseries every full of signs saying «Tobac- co-free area» Nîmes also has a natu- to an old agricultural activity The 3 main forests are the ral forest heritage of over based on sheep herding and Bois des Espeisses, the Do- 1,000 ha made up of 6 fo- the production of olives. The maine d’Escattes and the rests. The quality of these “Charter of the Scrublands” Clos Gaillard. sites and their accessibility revolves around the objec- make them favourite places tives of the preservation and for walkers and sports fans. enhancement of the territo- A variety of projects have ry with regards to the natu- made it easy to get to know ral and built environment: to the Nîmes scrublands, for understand the scrublands, which a charter has been de- to respect it, to enhance the veloped. The scrublands of- heritage, to control urbani- fer plant formations of an ex- sation, to adapt lifestyles traordinary diversity of flora and the environment and to and fauna. The forests also preserve the natural areas... have a significant legacy of dry stone buildings, testifying

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WHERE CAN YOU GO FOR A WALK? Domaine de la Bastide: a family-oriented sports and leisure complex, with football and rugby fields, a baseball field and paths along the River Vistre or around the lake! At Mont Duplan: another garden in the city-centre in addition to the Jardins de la Fontaine. A shady walk under the pines, playgrounds, activity areas and bowling greens. At Vacquerolles Park: at the gates to the Nîmes Golf Course. Nîmes: the awards

In Nîmes, we renew our commitment to The award-winning web documentary on sustainable development every day. the Nîmes Amphitheatre. Included in the field of sustainable develop- www.arenes-webdoc.nimes.fr ment: energy saving, health, food, the Char- ter on sustainable construction, responsible On January 13, 2017, the “Heritage and In- consumption, solidarity, environmental pro- novation” prize was awarded to the City of tection, living well together and citizenship. Nîmes by the Francophone digital platform, Innovation Club & Culture, in the category Some examples “Ex situ experiences” for its web documen- • the 1st Auroralia Award in 2013, which tary on the Arènes of Nîmes. Produced in rewards cities abroad for installing an out- partnership with the City of Science and In- door lighting system that reduces the envi- rap, in early 2016 it won over 5 other finalists, ronmental footprint in the most remarkable including the Rodin Museum, the Museums way possible. of Paris and the Jeu de Paume. An organisa- tion attentive to digital innovation in connec- • the Award for Best Cloud Computing in tion with Culture, since 2015, CLIC has been 30 2012 for Metropolitan Nîmes, which includes organising this competition that collects the IT performance in sustainable development votes of professionals. Nîmes had a majority, and the design of which, commissioned in winning 21% of the votes in its category. 2011, was the first time in France that it was Offering a fun and educational approach, awarded to a public authority. enriched with synthesized images and in- terviews, this web documentary is for all au- Nîmes, the internet city @@@@@ diences and can be consulted for free on the city’s website. The Association of Internet Cities supports as closely as possible the needs of cities and villages towards good citizen use of digital tools. The commitment and enthusiasm of local communities are rewarded by up to five @ at the annual awards of the Internet City Label. In 2014, Nîmes won its fifth @. The Internet City Label is a prestigious label and a reward for the efforts of cities in favour of an Internet in the service of citizenship, civi- lity and civic engagement.

To learn more: www.nimes.fr Fragrances & flavours

Nîmes grew among the scents of the scru- The early ripening of the PGI Nîmes Straw- blands, the olive trees, the vineyards and berry makes it the only strawberry in France chestnut trees. So naturally, cooking has grown in the ground under shelter. taken its accent from Provence and the The olive tree is part of the culture of Nîmes. strength of Cevennes, enhanced, of course, The AOP and AOC Nîmes Olive, the famous by a pinch of Camargue salt. Made famous «Picholine» with juicy, crisp, sweet flesh, is by the chef Durand, codfish “Brandade” re- eaten green. mains the most famous dish from Nîmes. An appetizer typical of our region, tapenade The little pies from Nîmes have a nice, gol- is made of green or black olives crushed with den crust that conceals a veal and pork stuf- anchovies and capers. fing to savour warm or hot. Anchoïade is a puree prepared with ancho- The secret recipe of Croquant Villaret has vies, olive oil and garlic. not changed since 1775. The most surpri- sing thing about this delightful long golden biscuit is not its mysterious taste but its crun- 31 chy consistency. Caladon, which is softer, is made with almonds and honey. The tasty beef of the AOC and AOP Camargue Bull comes from animals raised in total freedom in the delta of the Rhône River. The “Gardianne de taureau”, after codfish “Brandade”, is the second most important specialty of Nîmes. The famous AOC and AOP Pélardons (small, refined cheeses made from raw goats’ milk), lamb, Pippin apples and sweet onions come to us from Cevennes. And to accompany these di- shes, there is nothing better than a Costières de Nîmes wine or a sparkling Perrier mineral water, the source of which bubbles up a few kilo- metres from Nîmes.

32 DID YOU KNOW? The former President !? of the French Republic, Gaston Doumergue (1921- 1931), who was born near Nîmes, said that when eating brandade he could hear the cicadas singing in the pines of the Magne Tower. 33

III The sense of celebration The Feria

Having fun in Nîmes is second nature! tivities roll out in succession, to please The proof is in these impromptu festivals all audiences and tastes! You can that spring up throughout the city! One watch bullfighting in the Arena, abriva- of the main events, the Feria, accen- dos and bandidos (bull running in the tuates all kinds of emotions and leads to streets), see the Peñas (bands) wan- a kind of collective folly. The first Feria dering, dance the Sevillanas late into was held in 1952 in true Spanish style, the night in the bodegas, eat paella on and even today combines bullfights, Ca- the boulevards, participate in activities, margue races, concerts, bull running in attend concerts, watch the jousting on the streets and many other events. the Fountain canal, listen to the Mass in Provençal language in the Cathedral or Renowned throughout Europe, it is the attend the Pégoulade, the opening pa- most well-known popular event. rade of Pentecost Festival... Twice a year, thousands of people fill the streets of the city. However, they are not Nîmes may seem quieter the rest of the all bull «aficionados». Everyone loves time, but many other events are held 34 the excitement and the atmosphere that throughout the year, such as summer fills the city and brings together music concerts in the Arena, the Thursday and dance. night markets in Nîmes, performances at the theatre, festivals, fairs and exhi- Dozens of bodegas (improvised bars) bitions as well as major sporting events. mushroom throughout the city and people gather there to celebrate. The Feria is six days at Pentecost (Whitsun) and three days in September. The fes- 35 Events that are not-to-be-missed

Nîmes Urban Trail February 2018 The Great Roman Games April 2018 Cartoon Biennial May 2018 Pentecost Feria May 2018 Camargue races During the Pentecost Feria «This is not a love song» Festival June 2018 Nîmes Festival June & July 2018 «A Film maker in the City» Festival July 2018 Thursdays in Nîmes July & August 2018

36 Grape Harvest Feria September 2018 Christmas in Nîmes - Theatre of Images December 2018 International Bow and Arrow Competition January 2019 Flamenco Festival January 2019 Biography Festival January 2019

AGENDA 2018 2019 37

IV Curiosities & anecdotes The fascinating story of Denim

«Jeans», trousers first adop- area unfinished, to be dyed While there is no specific ted by the American pioneers, in Nîmes. This was an or- evidence (the Levi Strauss & are worn by everyone today. dinary product, as precious Co. archives burned down in However, did you know that fabrics were made entirely the fire of San Francisco in this famous garment origi- in Nîmes, which, at the time, 1906), it is believed that as nated from Nîmes? was an important dyeing his stock of brown canvas centre. was finished, Levi Strauss In the Middle Ages the city This enabled the develop- asked his brothers in New exported this cheap and ment of low cost dye baths, York for new stock. Was resistant cotton twill fabric particularly for blue dye and it the chance arrival of a across Europe. explains the profusion of consignment that blue cotton At the time, it was used for these blue textiles at low twill from Nîmes was used boat sails and tarps. Then prices. and gave birth to the «Denim clothing was exported to the Jeans»? United States where a Ba- The cotton twill that Levi 38 varian immigrant called Levi Strauss used for the first Strauss sold them to those «Jeans» was originally not who went to conquer the intended for clothing but was !? West. Thus, «Blue Jeans» part of the goods that traders were born. in Nîmes exported to New Denim comes from “de York along with shawls and DID YOU KNOW? Nîmes” and “Jeans» from silk. The story of “Jeans” is lin- Genoa, the Italian port where ked to that of “la bouvine” the goods transited. It is (Camargue bull traditions)! known that in the 18th cen- When Buffalo Bill came to tury lengths of this cloth (or Europe in the early 20th twill) were purchased in the century, the Marquis de Baroncelli received the Sioux chiefs in Camargue and invited them to an “abrivado” (bull run) and a “ferrade” (branding): these were the earliest ex- changes between America and Europe. The palm tree and the crocodile

To understand the origins of the coat Nîmes was simply the place where of arms of the city, we must travel the coins were minted. Over the to Egypt. In 31 BC, Octavian centuries, Nîmes became at- 39 defeated the fleet of Antony tached to these coins and, in and Cleopatra at the Battle 1535, were allowed by Fran- of Actium and took over the çois 1st to use the palm tree control of the Roman Empire. and the crocodile as their coat Then Octavian received the of arms. Redesigned in 1986 title of Caesar Augustus. A coin by Philippe Starck, they are was struck in Nîmes to celebrate found everywhere in Nîmes, even the victory. One side shows the pro- on the paving stone studs in the his- file of the Emperor and his adopted son toric centre. Agrippa and the other a crocodile tied to a palm tree surmounted by a laurel branch, symbolising the conquest of Egypt. The ins- cription of Col Nem, meaning the Colony of !? Nîmes, suggests that the victorious Roman legions received land near Nîmes. In fact, DID YOU KNOW? Four naturalised crocodiles adorn the main stair- case of the City Hall since 1853, referring to the coat of arms of Nîmes. Their history is known through the caption below the belly of each one, constituting a sort of birth certificate. Deciphering these captions enables us to trace the origins, dates and names of the consuls who approved them: 1597, 1671, 1692 and 1703. These four croco- diles are protected and are listed as Historic Monu- ments. 40 41

V New achievements A new city

A new district in the East The Contemporary Music Scene (SMAC), “Paloma”, an imposing building of 5,000 m2, is an alliance of different cultural worlds, equipped with all the latest digital technolo- gies. Paloma has 6 studios, 1 large platform to accommodate theatrical set devices, 1 multi-purpose room with retractable stands and a balcony, 1 patio and 1 housing centre for artists in residence. An open and friendly place to live with vintage furniture, its signage is intended to be humorous and offbeat. It was designed by Jean-Michel Bertreux, from the Tretrac Firm of Architects. Paloma dis- plays strong programming with renowned national and international artists, while main- A new district in the South 42 taining the territorial anchoring of places on The train station district, for long a strate- a human scale. Why Paloma? This Anda- gic crossroads of the city, was no longer at- lusian name is an invitation to the gentle na- tractive. Cut off from the city-centre by the ture of the urban area of Nîmes with its Ro- railroad bridge, the district needed room to man and Provençal atmospheres. It’s also a grow. The need to expand the centre towar- song composed by the Spaniard Sebastian ds the South predestined the district for a ma- Iradier in 1863 and is one of the most widely jor urban renewal project Thus was created performed songs in the world, by artists from the ZAC Triangle Station, a train station with Luis Mariano to Charlie Parker. a visual and functional transparency and a dual entrance, providing a new relationship between the city-centre and the new district. Added to this were 1 bus station, 2 car parks and 1 taxi rank. The Avenue Feuchères pedestrian mall, which faces the station and adjoins the Arènes, is the backbone of this develop- ment that has created a new hub for local residents, users and travellers. With new housing, public facilities, shops, offices, ho- tels and commercial activities, the train sta- tion district has become the neighbourhood to live in! This urban development project was entrusted to the Société d’Aménage- ment des Territoires, based in Nîmes. A new multiplex CGR cinema with a floorspace of 7,000 m², which opened in November 2017, offers 10 rooms on two floors as well as a bar and a restaurant. The Hoche University EcoDistrict university and the creation of new modes For several years, the City has engaged in of green transport, including the proposed an urban planning program to reorient the extension of the TCSP North-South line. In city-centre to the East. The district is now re- 2012, Nîmes received the “Golden Marianne vealing its new face. Centred on a university of the Republic” for sustainable development campus around the old Gaston Doumergue and in 2017, the label of “EcoDistrict - Living Hospital, this new environment offers hou- better together», a label awarded to 14 pro- sing, shops and natural areas. The univer- jects in France. sity campus was opened in 2013. The issues of the district are: the reconstruction of the For more information: www.nimes.fr city to the East on 20 ha without using natu- ral or agricultural areas, solutions for the pro- blem of flooding, the development of housing (1,000 housing units, including 25% for so- cial housing and student housing, buildings, a university campus, offices and shops), the preservation of the historic heritage with the transformation of the former hospice into a

43 AEF - Arènes Esplanade Feuchères Avenue Feuchères remains an important ar- The forum for the twenty-first century tery for public transport, between the station The entire AEF project was carried out by and the heart of the city. Inaugurated in 2013, the urban architect Alain Marguerit and the more user-friendly and functional for pedes- landscape architects of the «Atelier des trians, it has expanded the historic centre by Paysages». The goal was to transform the creating an urban area of 8 hectares, which area for pedestrians, improve the living envi- offers a modernised living environment and ronment and enhance the urban landscape a new entrance to the city worthy of the jewel to make it more welcoming for visitors and of heritage that awaits the visitor a few me- people from Nîmes. ters away. The first part of the project, inaugurated in At night, the Avenue and the Esplanade light 2007, featured the 2000-year-old Amphi- up, showcasing the Roman Amphitheatre. théâtre. This urban development based on materials of mineral origin was followed by two other greener phases: The Esplanade, inaugurated in 2012, in- !? cludes an urban garden of nearly 1 ha in the heart of the city where the people of Nîmes, tourists and travellers intersect. Café ter- DID YOU KNOW? races, benches and large lawns have flou- The Hoche-Sernam project was rished in this historic public garden. Over entrusted to the urban architect 24,000 species of plants and 70 trees, shru- Antoine Grumbach, who collabo- bs and grasses were planted here, faithfully rated with Christian de Portzam- reflecting the species found in the country- parc (the Musée de la Romanité) 44 side around Nîmes and nearly 3,000 feet of on the Cours du Val Maubué bamboo cane were arranged on the pergo- project in Marne-la-Vallée and in las and kiosk walls. 2012 was entrusted with the study on development strategies for Greater Moscow. 45 The Allées Jaurès attraction for the city. The cafes, restaurants and Measuring over 60 me- mall down the centre is com- shops. This vital artery of ters wide over a length of posed of three sections, the city has become a real 1.5 km, the Allées Jaurès, each centred around a main living centre and a distinctive considered by some as the function. district. Champs-Elysées of Nîmes, - North: green areas, foun- are a grand city entrance, tains, canals and shaded with the Jardins de la Fon- benches that encourage taine and the Tour Magne in strolling. the forefront. - Middle: squares, pergolas, Completed in 2013, the me- gazebos and facilities. And tamorphosis of this major markets! thoroughfare was entrusted - South: children’s play- to Jean-Michel Wilmotte. grounds, bowling greens and Inspired by the Ramblas areas for leisure and relaxa- of Barcelona, it is an urban tion. walkway and a new tourist With a cycle path, car parks, The TCSP A real alternative to the car, the T1 line, or Tan- go +, circulates since 2012 on the North-Sou- th line of the TCSP (Collective Transport in Clean Sites), the pivot of the transport system of Greater Nîmes. Combining comfort, safety and accessibility, this Trambus with 135 seats runs on dedicated lanes to guarantee tra- vel times. With a regular timetable, Tango + connects the exit of the Nîmes Centre mo- torway to the Arènes in 14 min. Relay car parks enable you to leave your car on the outskirts of the city. This public transport, innovative and environmentally friendly, is unique and its interior decoration in “Denim Jeans» and in local colours means that the Trambus is real- ly «Made in Nîmes!» It is also an ecological asset because its engine has the latest stan- dards for control of air emissions

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At the end of 2016, a new line was inaugu- rated. It goes around the “Ecusson” in the opposite direction of the car traffic, providing access as close as possible to the city-centre. Upcoming, a third line, which will cross Nîmes from East to West.

For more information: www.nimes.fr Lighting up the Jardins de la make it a pleasant place to rès and asserts its new noc- Fontaine walk around and to create a turnal identity. Anxious to preserve and en- friendly atmosphere. hance its heritage, while pro- Next light-up: Summer 2018 viding strollers with a feeling Centred on the founding of safety, in 2017, the city spring and its Nymphaeum, installed lighting in the lower the Gardens have many re- part of the Jardins de la Fon- markably well preserved Ro- taine. man monuments and buil- dings. In respect for the environ- ment, the City of Nîmes This installation of lighting as wished to offer these 18th part of the City Lighting Plan, century gardens, listed as has transformed the site into “Remarkable Gardens”, an a real urban landmark as an original nocturnal identity, to extension of the Allées Jau-

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The «Flood Protection Plan» The first programme, im- This ambitious vision of To protect the city from the plemented over the period flood prevention and protec- high risk of flooding, a com- of 2007-2014, followed the tion has enabled the city of prehensive plan of action Flood Protection Plan that Nîmes to become a world re- has been implemented for had been set in place after ference in the field. over 20 years. The goal of the historic flood of 1988. this work programme is to For more news on the provide flood protection goal In 2014, the City signed with projects of the city: for all districts. its partners a second Flood www.nimes.fr Protection Plan (2014 to Long and expensive, it re- 2020), to develop preven- quires a succession of tive measures in terms of Flood Prevention Action knowledge, alerts, a culture Programmes. Developed of risk and to lead a decisive by the City of Nîmes and its action plan in the East of the partners, these programmes city. have increased the capacity of the six basins in the city. 48 49

VI

Major Projects The Musée de la Romanité OPENING ON JUNE 2, 2018

The ambition of the City is to strengthen the This discovery reinforced the mayor’s desire, relationship between the people of the 21st Mr Jean-Paul Fournier, to create a contem- century and its rich Roman past, providing porary museum to present these exception- Nîmes, world famous for the quality of its nal works as well as those preserved in the ancient monuments, with a major new Ar- archaeological museum. chaeological Museum worthy of its outstan- The City wanted to promote and transmit this ding heritage. magnificent heritage in a building adapted to the museum requirements and expectations This 9 200 m² museum, facing the Arènes, of today’s public. will be tasked with explaining the ancient heritage of the city and with creating the The enhancement of the collections has been desire to discover and understand it. Areas designed through new technologies that will will be reserved for the presentation of each restore the Roman ruins to their ancient site and monument of the current landscape context. A very innovative museography will but also the missing sites and monuments help visitors to place objects, architecture 50 such as the Sanctuary of the Fountain, the and urban planning in their spatiotempo- theatre, the spa... ral context. Designed around a demanding scientific and cultural plan, it is intended that 5000 works out of the 25,000 pieces in the this museum will be one of many. archaeological museum of Nîmes will be presented there, such as the mosaics of Designed around a demanding scientific and Achilles and Pentheus, major pieces disco- cultural plan, it is intended that this museum vered during excavations on the site of the will be one of many. Following an interna- Allées Jaurès and not yet on display even tional architectural competition, the winning today. project was that of Elizabeth de Portzamparc, a French signature from among the greatest names in architecture and urban planning. The application of Nîmes to the UNESCO World Heritage List

The City of Nîmes was built in a remarkable Steps: way around and with its Roman monuments. In 2014, the French scientific committee in It is this ancient architecture spread over the charge of assessing the city’s application re- centuries that gave the city its identity, its cognised the outstanding universal value of personality, its uniqueness, providing it with Roman Nîmes. outstanding universal value. In January 2016, the Manage- Under the heading, “Nîmes, ment Plan was presented to from antiquity to the pre- French Properties Com- sent, the UNESCO appli- mittee and in January cation revolves around 2017, the official sub- influences and quota- mission of the applica- tions from ancient times tion to UNESCO was through the centuries, made by the Ambas- but also addresses the sador of France. In the unique adaptation of autumn of 2017, feed- 51 urban planning to pro- back, comments and re- mote ancient monuments. commendations were re- They are both models but ceived from the experts on also anchor points in the ur- the application, following its ban space that structures the city. review and site inspection. Indeed, Nîmes illustrates twenty centu- One more step on the way to the highly ries of urban history marked by the imprint of anticipated entry by the people of Nîmes, Caesar Augustus. who are proud of their heritage and identity.

This inscription on the list of UNESCO Wor- At the beginning of the summer of 2018, ld Heritage Sites will enable recognition of its application to the World Heritage Com- the work undertaken by the City of Nîmes mittee will be presented. Meanwhile, the for many years to enhance its heritage. It City continues to beautify and restore the will also be a strong symbol for future ge- prestige to its ancient monuments: after the nerations, who will have the responsibility of restoration of the Maison Carrée, it is to the continuing the development of the city while 2000-year-old Roman Amphithéâtre that drawing from his past. Thus, this inscription the city wishes to restore its flamboyance. would deeply mark the people of Nîmes, in the creation of the identity of the city and its For more information: www.nimes.fr roots. It would also enable them to better Support the application of Nîmes to UNES- share this common good and show the world CO www.jesoutiensnimes.fr this exceptional heritage. Location & access

BRUXELLES 2h00

BRUXELLES 1h35

PARIS 52 Roissy CDG 2h50

LYON 1h20

TOULOUSE 3h00 MARSEILLE MONTPELLIER 1h20 0h50

BARCELONE MADRID 3h30 In Southeast France, Nîmes is the capital of the Department of Gard and is part of the Occitan Region. It has a privileged position between the Mediterranean Sea, Ca- margue, Provence and Cévennes, in the scrubland landscape, between the popular cities of Avignon-Arles-Marseille-Montpellier and a few kilometres from the famous Pont du Gard.

Geographic coordinates: 43°49’59’’N4°21’00’’E. Altitude maximale au nord : 215 mètres (116 mètres en zone urbaine) et altitude minimale : 21 mètres dans la plaine du Vistre.

Maximum northern elevation: 215 meters (116 meters in urban areas) and minimum altitude: 21 meters in the plain of the River Vistre. Nîmes has beautiful sunshine throughout the year but often faces the northern Mis- tral wind with gusts exceeding 100 km/hour Its location deep in the hills of the scru- blands explains its mild climate and relaxed lifestyle.

With over 154,000 inhabitants, Nîmes is the 18th largest city in France. Since 2017, the Urban Community of Metropolitan Nîmes includes 39 municipalities.

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ALES ORANGE

AVIGNON NIMES Nîmes by motorway:

A9 A9 and A54 MONTPELLIER A54 ARLES - 2.5 hrs from Lyon - 1.5 hrs from Marseille - 40 mins from Montpellier - 3 hours from Nice and Toulouse MARSEILLE

Nîmes by train: - 2.5 hours from Paris - 1.3 hours from Lyon - 1 hour from Marseille

Nîmes by air: Nîmes-Alès-Camargue-Cévennes Airport. Via the Ryanair Company, regular services to London, Brussels (Charleroi), Fez and Marrakech. Connections to Liverpool. 3 other airports around Nîmes: Marseille Provence, Montpellier Méditerranée, Avignon Provence. Nîmes Tourism Office and Convention Bureau/SpAl GATE Head Office: Spl AGATE 19 rue Trajan F-30 000 Nîmes

PRESS CONTACT Véronique ALLEN + 33 (0) 4 66 58 38 25 [email protected]

www.nimes-tourisme.com

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