Travel: 48 hours in Nimes

Start by checking in at the New Hotel La Baume (www.hotel-baume-nimes.federal-hotel.com, double rooms from E180 for two nights), an elegant hotel in a 17th-century townhouse, close to the main attractions.
By ROBIN GAULDIE
Published 16th Mar 2013, 13:11 BST

Friday 8pm Dine at Le Lisita (www.lelisita.com), where Olivier Douet offers a fresh take on local dishes.

Saturday, 9am Take a self-guided tour of Les Arenes, the 2,000-year-old Roman arena that is the city’s historic hub.

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10am The Musée des Cultures Taurines celebrates bullfight culture with its displays of posters and glittering matadors’ costumes (www.ville-nimes.fr).

11am Stroll up Boulevard Victor Hugo to Place de la Maison Carrée and the first-century Maison Carrée, the best preserved Roman temple in the world. Across the square is the Carrée d’Art (www.nimes.fr) a cube of glass and steel which houses more than 400 modernist works of art.

Noon Head out of town to another Roman relic, the triple-decker Pont du Gard, which spans the river about 15 miles from Nimes.

8pm Le Cheval Blanc (www.winebar-lechevalblanc.com) with tables overlooking the ancient arena, has a delicious menu – the charcuterie is superb.

Sunday, 10am Visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts (www.ville-nimes.fr) where the key exhibit is a fine Roman mosaic, The Marriage of Admetus.

Noon Lunch at Aux Plaisirs des Halles (www.auxplaisirsdeshalles.com).

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2pm Walk to the north end of Avenue Jean Jaures to stroll through the Jardins de la Fontaines.

7pm Dine at Le Bouchon et L’Assiette (www.bouchonetlassiette.com) as a grand gastronomic finale to your weekend.

Monday, 9am Check out.

THE FACTS

EasyJet (www.easyjet.com) flies from Edinburgh to Lyon from around £200 return. Trains from Lyon airport to Nimes (www.voyages-sncf.co.uk) cost from £30 one way.