Monday 20 April, 2015 Nimes
We got back on track with our plans and took the train to Nimes for the day. Nimes is another Roman city which is famous for its Coliseum the largest and most well preserved outside of Rome (with a fraction of the crowds). It has been in continual use for 2100 years although the Christians have been replaced by bulls. We were a couple weeks early as the bull fights don't start until Labour Day weekend - 1 May. In France, the bull lives, albeit until he becomes steak! The rest of the Roman antiquities such as the Temple of Diana, and the Maison Carree which is smaller but of the same design as the acropolis looks like the day it was finished and you expect Roman citizens and locals to walk out. We then visited the collection well and distribution hub for all that water from Pont du Gard. [We are constantly amazed at Roman engineering from over 2000 years ago and the fact that not only are there so many surviving examples, but many roads, bridges, aquaducts are in everday use.]
The town also features a beautiful fountain garden which was modeled on Versailles and was the first garden and park of this style to be built for the public rather than royalty. Nimes built its industry on a famous fabric - de nimes (can you figure it out)? and is still a major textile centre. We finished out day in Nimes with our traditional scenic beer and then headed back to Avignon.
That evening we ate at "L'Epice and Love" a funky little restaurant with menu that changes every day. The owner buys only enough for that day. As an example, she had enough escargots for 6 people - then the people had to have another entree. It was the same for the main course. The food was delicious! We have been relying on our Rick Steves guide for restaurant recommendations and he rarely steers us wrong.
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