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Day Trips & Excursions

Day Trips & Excursions

Languedoc Roussillon, France

Nearby Destinations

Several historically and culturally significant towns are a short journey from Nîmes, making them perfect for a half or full day trip.

Find and book incredible local experiences for your day trips via GetYourGuide.

Popular Day Trips

  • Pont du Gard: Ancient Roman aqueduct bridge, UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Arles: Roman amphitheater, theater, and association with Vincent van Gogh.
  • Avignon: Palais des Papes (Pope's Palace), Pont Saint-Bénézet.
  • Uzès: Charming medieval duchy town with a ducal palace.

Nearby Destinations Details

Explore the treasures surrounding Nîmes, each offering an unique glimpse into Southern France's character.

Pont du Gard

A UNESCO World Heritage site, this ancient Roman aqueduct bridge is an architectural and engineering marvel. It is one of the best-preserved Roman structures globally, built to carry water to Nîmes.

Logistics

  • Bus service (Line 121) from Nîmes bus station (approx. 40 minutes).
  • Driving (approx. 25 minutes).
  • Half-day (3-4 hours); full day with canoeing.

Arles

Another significant Roman city and an UNESCO World Heritage site, Arles is known for its impressive Roman amphitheater, Roman theater, and ancient necropolis.

Logistics

  • Frequent direct trains (TER) from Nîmes (approx. 20-30 minutes).
  • Strong associations with Vincent van Gogh.
  • Full day to explore Roman sites, museums, and Van Gogh's trail.

More City Highlights

Avignon

  • Famous for the Palais des Papes and Pont Saint-Bénézet.
  • Frequent direct trains (TER and TGV) connect Nîmes to Avignon (approx. 30-45 minutes).
  • A full day recommended for exploring the palace, bridge, and city center.
  • UNESCO World Heritage city.

Uzès & Aigues-Mortes

  • Uzès: Charming medieval duchy town, famous Saturday market.
  • Uzès: Regular bus service (Line 115) from Nîmes (approx. 40-50 minutes).
  • Aigues-Mortes: Perfectly preserved medieval walled city.
  • Aigues-Mortes: Direct train services (TER) from Nîmes (approx. 30 minutes).

Cultural Excursions

  • Orange:Home to an exceptionally preserved Roman theatre, UNESCO World Heritage site, and a triumphal arch. Reachable by train or car.
  • Les Baux-de-Provence:Spectacular medieval village perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop. Best reached by car or bus.
  • Carrières de Lumières:Unique digital art show in a former quarry, near Les Baux-de-Provence.
  • Glanum (near St-Rémy-de-Provence):Archaeological site featuring Roman and Hellenistic ruins.

Travel Tip

When planning day trips, consider buying a regional train pass for potential savings over individual tickets.

Natural Escapes

The regions surrounding Nîmes offer stunning natural beauty, from wetlands to mountains.

Camargue Regional Natural Park

A vast wetland and delta region, famous for wild white horses, black bulls, and pink flamingos. Best explored by car (approx. 45 minutes to starting points).

Cévennes National Park

A rugged, mountainous UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Excellent for hiking, cycling, and exploring pristine nature. Best accessed by car (approx. 1-1.5 hours from Nîmes).

Beaches Near Nîmes

Mediterranean beaches are easily accessible. Le Grau-du-Roi and La Grande-Motte offer sandy shores; Plage de l'Espiguette provides a more wild experience.

Multi-Day Extensions: Provence

Extend your Nîmes visit with a longer exploration of the heart of Provence.

Options

  • Visit cities like Aix-en-Provence.
  • Explore picturesque Luberon villages (Gordes, Roussillon).
  • Coastal town of Cassis for its famous calanques.

Multi-Day Extensions: Languedoc & Rhône

Head further west into the Occitanie region or explore wine country.

More Options

  • Languedoc-Roussillon: Montpellier, Carcassonne, Cathar castles.
  • Rhône Valley Wine Tour: Wine-tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
  • Excellent train and road networks facilitate regional travel.

Extended Exploration Overview

Provence Tour:Combine Nîmes with Aix-en-Provence, Luberon villages, and Cassis.
Languedoc-Roussillon:Explore Montpellier, Carcassonne, and Cathar castles.
Rhône Valley Wine Tour:Focus on renowned vineyards like Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Transportation:Excellent train and road networks connect destinations.

Natural Wonders

  • The Camargue offers wild horses, bulls, and flamingos.
  • The Cévennes National Park welcomes hikers and nature lovers.
  • Coastal beaches like Le Grau-du-Roi are easily accessible.
  • Enjoy canoeing on the Gardon River near Pont du Gard.
  • Explore vineyards in the Costières de Nîmes region.

Regional Connections

Nîmes is strategically positioned for further exploration into Southern France.

Provence Beyond Nîmes

Consider a multi-day trip exploring the heart of Provence after your Nîmes stay.

Areas to Explore

  • Cities like Aix-en-Provence.
  • Picturesque Luberon villages (e.g., Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux).
  • Coastal town of Cassis for its famous calanques (limestone cliffs and coves).

Languedoc-Roussillon Deep Dive

Head further west into the Occitanie region, formerly Languedoc-Roussillon, for varied experiences.

Regional Highlights

  • Montpellier: A dynamic, modern city.
  • Carcassonne: A magnificent medieval fortified city, also an UNESCO site.
  • Cathar castles: Explore their rich history in the Pyrenean foothills.

Rhône Valley Wine Tours

Focus on the renowned vineyards of the Southern Rhône Valley for an unique tasting experience.

Wine Exploration

  • Wine-tasting tours in famous appellations.
  • Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas.
  • Combine with visits to Avignon and Orange.

Seamless Transportation

The excellent train and road networks in Southern France enable easy travel between regional destinations.

Getting Around

  • Facilitates travel between regional destinations.
  • Consider direct train lines where possible for practicality.
  • Road networks also offer flexible exploration.

Multi-Day Planning

Extend your adventure to other cities and picturesque towns within easy reach.

Longer Stays

Two-week explorations allow for immersion in Nîmes and nearby regions.

Flexible Basing

Base yourself in Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, or Montpellier to explore wider areas.

Regional Gems

Visit Narbonne or explore varied beaches along the Languedoc coast.

Themed Excursions

Consider a theme for your journey to tailor your Nîmes experience.

Cultural & Historical Journeys

Roman History

Focus on Nîmes' Roman sites: Arena, Maison Carrée, Musée de la Romanité, Tour Magne. Extend to Arles and Orange.

Medieval Towns

Visit medieval towns like Uzès and Aigues-Mortes. Explore museums like Musée du Vieux Nîmes.

Art & Architecture

Appreciate Roman architecture contrasting with modern designs like Carré d'Art. Visit Arles for Van Gogh connections.

Culinary Adventures

  • Explore Les Halles de Nîmes, sampling local products.
  • Take a cooking class focused on Provençal or Languedoc cuisine.
  • Visit local vineyards in the Costières de Nîmes region for wine tasting.
  • Dine at traditional restaurants, trying regional specialties.
  • Taste Brandade de Nîmes and Gardiane de Taureau.
  • Discover local markets for fresh produce.

Outdoor & Family Fun

  • Hike in the garrigue surrounding Nîmes or in Cévennes National Park.
  • Experience water sports like canoeing under Pont du Gard.
  • Spend a day at Mediterranean beaches for relaxation.
  • Explore Camargue for wildlife encounters and horseback riding.
  • Enjoy rides on the tourist train in Nîmes.
  • Visit interactive elements at Musée de la Romanité.

Budget-Focused Plans

Backpacker's Guide

Stay in hostels. Utilize public transport and walking. Self-cater with groceries. Focus on free attractions and city passes.

Mid-Range Traveler

Comfortable hotels or guesthouses. Enjoy varied dining. Use public transport for day trips. Consider some guided tours.

Luxury Experience

Stay in 4-5 star hotels. Indulge in fine dining. Use taxis or private transfers. Enjoy exclusive tours and high-end shopping.

Seasonal Travel

Visit during shoulder season (April-May, September-October) for lower prices and fewer crowds. Enjoy unique events like the Feria de Nîmes or Grands Jeux Romains in May.
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