The Arena of Nîmes: Where Friendship Meets History
Seb: During our trip to France, I wanted to introduce my best friend to one of the places that, for me, best embodies the grandeur and immensity of Antiquity: the Arena of Nîmes. This was not just a tourist visit, but a plunge into two thousand years of history, at the heart of a monument that single-handedly tells the story of the power of Rome and the identity of an entire region.
Roman: Before this trip, I had never been in a structure of this type. I haven’t seen the Colosseum in Rome, so this building made a big impression on me. It looks especially interesting when you climb to the top part. Inside, everything has a feel of antiquity. You can walk almost anywhere in the structure, and from there, you get a wonderful view of the surroundings. In some places, a bit of physical fitness is required to climb the high steps.
The Immensity of Antiquity
Seb: Why bring my best friend here? Because these stones are not just ruins. They are the testimony of a Gallic people who became Roman, of a brilliant and already multicultural society that dreamed of resembling the great Urbs – Rome. This arena is proof that the Empire knew how to provide the famous “bread and circuses” to satisfy the populus. The Arena of Nîmes is 133 meters long and 101 meters wide, with a central arena measuring 68 by 38 meters. It could hold up to 24,000 spectators. In comparison, the Colosseum in Rome – the ultimate model – is 188 meters long and 156 meters wide, for about 50,000 spectators. Nîmes is not Rome, but its amphitheater is nonetheless colossal. When you sit there, you feel tiny, crushed by the grandeur of a world that already wanted to see everything on a grand scale. Are we so different today? And incidentally, the word “arena” comes from the Latin arena, meaning “sand,” because sand was used to cover the ground to absorb the blood from the animal combats that most often took place.
Roman: During our visit, Seb and I decided to find out how much smaller this structure is than the Roman Colosseum. It was fun. Wiki and DeepSeek to the rescue.
In the Footsteps of the Inhabitants of Narbonensis
Seb: Walking on these tiers is like walking through the history of Narbonensis, the Roman province that was the first region of France to be annexed by the Empire. Here, the inhabitants applauded gladiators, thrilled at the hunts, and took advantage of these collective moments to forget their worries. My friend and I realized that these places were as much monuments of stone as they were places of life and memory.
A Tale of Friendship
Seb: At one point, my best friend wanted to climb to the very top, where visitors are not supposed to go. I was scared for him: no safety barrier protects from the drop. I then imagined that a child of the Roman people, two thousand years ago, could have fallen in the same way. Safety was not a priority at the time: the spectacle was paramount. Once at the top, we discovered holes in the stone. I explained to him that sailors, who were used to handling ropes, would install the velum – a huge awning – to protect the spectators from the sun. Even in the crushing heat of the south, Rome knew how to consider the comfort of its people.
Roman: The best view was from the upper part of the Colosseum, and there were already people there, so I went up to take a look despite the warning signs. Of course, you could fall from there, but you’d have to try really hard :) I don’t think there have been any incidents. Seb just always follows the rules; maybe that’s the right approach.
A Beautiful and Grand World
Seb: That day, in the middle of this colossal monument, I saw in my friend’s eyes the same emotion as in my own. A sense of wonder, but also a reflection: humanity has always built magnificent things. The Arena of Nîmes reminds us that the world is beautiful, that our ancestors have left us more than just stones – they have left us a lesson in audacity and creativity.
Some notes
Roman: There’s a pretty big queue for the building, but you can buy tickets online, and that significantly speeds up your entry. Also, inside the colosseum, there’s a model of it, which is interesting to see. Near the Colosseum, there is a statue of a Toreador where you can take some cool photos. And in the colosseum building itself, they still hold performances (bullfighting and equestrian shows).
