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{{short description|Prefecture of Gard, Occitanie, France}}
{{Expand French|Nîmes|date=July 2014|topic=geo}}<!-- Particularly from the geography section. -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox French commune
| name = Nîmes
| native name = {{resize|80%|{{native name|oc|Nimes}}}}
| demonym = ''Nîmois'' (masculine)<br>''Nîmoise'' (feminine)
|commune status = [[Prefectures in France|Prefecture]] and [[Communes of France|commune]]
| commune status = [[Prefectures in France|Prefecture]] and [[Communes of France|commune]]
|image = {{Photomontage|position=center
| image = {{Photomontage
| photo2a = Nîmes-Fontaine Pradier VE-20121024.jpg
|position = center
| photo2b = Arènes de Nîmes en habit de noël.jpg
|photo2a | photo3a = Nîmes, Maison Carrée (1.-Fontaine Jhdt.n.Chr.)Pradier (46785244294)VE-20121024.jpg
|photo2b =
| photo1a = Nimes 2012 (8579722371).jpg
|photo3a = Nîmes, Maison Carrée (1. Jhdt.n.Chr.) (46785244294).jpg
| size = 270
|photo1a = Nimes 2012 (8579722371).jpg
| spacing = 2
|size | color = #FFFFFF270
|spacing | border = 02
|color = #FFFFFF
| foot_montage = From top to bottom, left to right: city view from Tour Magne, Fontaine Pradier, [[Arena of Nîmes]] and [[Maison Carrée]] at night}}
|caption border = 0
|foot_montage = From top to bottom: city view from Tour Magne, Fontaine Pradier, and [[Maison Carrée]] at night}}
|arrondissement = Nîmes
|canton caption =
| arrondissement = Nîmes
| canton = [[Cantons of Nîmes|Nîmes-1, 2, 3 and 4]] and [[Canton of Saint-Gilles|Saint-Gilles]]
| image coat of arms = Blason ville fr Nîmes (Gard).svg
| INSEE = 30189
| postal code = 30000 and 30900
| mayor = [[Jean-Paul Fournier]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Répertoire national des élus: les maires|url=https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/2876a346-d50c-4911-934e-19ee07b0e503|websitepublisher=data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises|date=26 DecemberJune 20202023|language=fr}}</ref>
| term = 2020&ndash;2026
| party = [[The Republicans (France)|LR]]
| intercommunality = [[Communauté d'agglomération Nîmes Métropole|CA Nîmes Métropole]]
| coordinates = {{coord|43.838|4.36150|format=dms18|N|04|21|35|E|type:city|display=inline,title}}
| elevation m = 39
| elevation min m = 21
| elevation max m = 215
| area km2 = 161.85
| population = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}}
| population date = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}}
| population footnotes = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}}
}}
|demonym=''Nîmois'' (masculine)<br>''Nîmoise'' (feminine)}}
 
'''Nîmes''' ({{IPAc-en|n|iː|m}} {{respell|NEEM}}, {{IPA-|fr|nim|lang|fr-Nîmes.ogg}}; {{lang-langx|oc|Nimes}} {{IPA-oc|ˈnimes|}}; [[Latin]]: ''Nemausus'') is the [[Prefectures in France|prefecture]] of the [[Gard]] [[Departments of France|department]] in the [[Occitania (administrative region)|Occitanie]] [[Regions of France|region]] of [[Southern France]]. Located between the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and the [[Cévennes]], the [[Communes of France|commune]] of Nîmes hashad an estimated population of 148,561 (in 2019).<ref>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/fichier/6011060/dep30.pdf Populations légales 2019: 30 Gard] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027103121/https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/fichier/6011060/dep30.pdf |date=27 October 2022 }}, INSEE</ref>
 
Dubbed the most Roman city outside Italy,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/france/languedoc-roussillon/articles/nimes-musee-de-la-romanite/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/france/languedoc-roussillon/articles/nimes-musee-de-la-romanite/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Nîmes, the most Roman city outside Italy, just got more Roman |work=The Telegraph |access-date=2018-07-30}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Nîmes has a rich history dating back to the [[Roman Empire]] when the city had a population of 50,000–60,000 and was the regional capital.<ref name="Sear1983">{{cite book |author=Frank Sear |title=Roman Architecture |url=https://archive.org/details/romanarchitectur0000sear |url-access=registration |year=1983 |publisher=Cornell University Press |isbn=0-8014-9245-9 |page=[https://archive.org/details/romanarchitectur0000sear/page/213 213]}}</ref><ref name="RingWatson2013">{{cite book |author1=Trudy Ring |author2=Noelle Watson |author3=Paul Schellinger |title=Northern Europe: International Dictionary of Historic Places |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uWjYAQAAQBAJ&pg=PT853 |date=28 October 2013 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-136-63951-7 |page=853 |access-date=7 November 2015 |archive-date=16 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916120525/https://books.google.com/books?id=uWjYAQAAQBAJ&pg=PT853 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://conservationengineers.org/conferences/2013presentations/Tuesday_Nimes_Aqueduct_GMihalevich.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=19 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326105238/http://conservationengineers.org/conferences/2013presentations/Tuesday_Nimes_Aqueduct_GMihalevich.pdf |archive-date=26 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="MobileReference2007">{{cite book |author=MobileReference |title=Travel Barcelona, Spain for Smartphones and Mobile Devices – City Guide, Phrasebook, and Maps |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KH3MnM_v0_gC&pg=PT428 |date=1 January 2007 |publisher=MobileReference |isbn=978-1-60501-059-5 |page=428}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Several famous monuments are in Nîmes, such as the [[Arena of Nîmes]] and the [[Maison Carrée]]. Because of this, Nîmes is often referred to as the "[[France|French]] [[Rome]]".
 
==Origins==
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Nimes is situated where the alluvial plain of the Vistrenque River abuts the hills of Mont Duplan to the northeast, Montaury to the southwest, and to the west Mt. Cavalier and the knoll of Canteduc.
 
Its name appears in inscriptions in [[Gaulish]] as ''dede matrebo Namausikabo'' ("he has given to the mothers of Nîmes") and "''toutios Namausatis''" ("citizen of Nîmes").<ref>{{cite book |last=Woodard |first=Roger D. |title=The Ancient Languages of Europe |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aPEENAEp938C&pg=PA183 |year=2008 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-139-46932-6 |page=183 |access-date=28 May 2020 |archive-date=16 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916120525/https://books.google.com/books?id=aPEENAEp938C&pg=PA183 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Dupraz, Emmanuel. "Commémorations cultuelles gallo-grecques chez les Volques Arécomiques". In: ''Etudes Celtiques'', vol. 44, 2018. pp. 36-38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3406/ecelt.2018.2180 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916120534/https://www.persee.fr/doc/ecelt_0373-1928_2018_num_44_1_2180 |date=16 September 2023 }}; www.persee.fr/doc/ecelt_0373-1928_2018_num_44_1_2180</ref>
 
[[Nemausus]] was the god of the local [[Volcae Arecomici]] tribe.
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{{see also|Timeline of Nîmes}}
 
===4000–2000 BCBCE===
The Neolithic site of Serre Paradis reveals the presence of semi-nomadic cultivators in the period 4000 to 3500 BCBCE on the site of Nîmes.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
 
The [[menhir]] of Courbessac (or La Poudrière) stands in a field, near the aerodrome. This limestone monolith of over two metres in height dates to about 2500 BCBCE, and is considered the oldest monument of Nîmes.
 
===1800–600 BCBCE===
The Bronze Age has left traces of villages that were made out of huts and branches.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}} The population of the site increased during the Bronze Age.
 
===600–121 BCBCE===
 
The hill of Mt. Cavalier was the site of the early [[oppidum]] which gave birth to the city. During the third and 2nd centuries BCBCE a surrounding wall was built with a dry-stone tower at the summit which was later incorporated into the [[Tour Magne]]. The [[Volcae Arecomici]] people settled around the spring at the foot of Mount Cavalier and built a sanctuary to [[Nemausus]] there.
 
[[Strabo]], the Greek geographer, mentioned that this town functioned as the regional capital for the [[Volcae Arecomici]], a [[Celts|Celtic]] people. The city adopted the name of a local water deity, [[Nemausus]]. The town had a healing spring.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Gates |first=Charles |title=Ancient cities: the archaeology of urban life in the ancient Near East and Egypt, Greece and Rome |date=2011 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-203-83057-4 |edition=2nd |location=London |pages=408}}</ref>
The Warrior of Grezan is considered to be the most ancient indigenous sculpture in southern Gaul.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Armit |first=Ian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yibDmGZOeR4C&dq=The+Warrior+of+Grezan&pg=PA79 |title=Headhunting and the Body in Iron Age Europe |date=2012-03-19 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-87756-5 |language=en}}</ref>
 
The Warrior of Grezan is considered to be the most ancient indigenous sculpture in southern Gaul.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Armit |first=Ian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yibDmGZOeR4C&dq=The+Warrior+of+Grezan&pg=PA79 |title=Headhunting and the Body in Iron Age Europe |date=2012-03-19 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-87756-5 |language=en |access-date=28 July 2022 |archive-date=16 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916120525/https://books.google.com/books?id=yibDmGZOeR4C&dq=The+Warrior+of+Grezan&pg=PA79 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 123 BC the Roman general [[Quintus Fabius Maximus Allobrogicus|Quintus Fabius Maximus]] campaigned against Gallic tribes in the area and defeated the [[Allobroges]] and the [[Arverni]], while the Volcae offered no resistance. The Roman province [[Gallia Transalpina]] was established in 121 BC<ref>Maddison, Angus (2007), Contours of the World Economy 1–2030 AD: Essays in Macro-Economic History, Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 41, {{ISBN|9780191647581}}</ref> and from 118 BC the [[Via Domitia]] was built through the later site of the city.
 
In 123 BCE the Roman general [[Quintus Fabius Maximus Allobrogicus|Quintus Fabius Maximus]] campaigned against Gallic tribes in the area and defeated the [[Allobroges]] and the [[Arverni]], while the Volcae offered no resistance. The Roman province [[Gallia Transalpina]] was established in 121 BCE<ref>Maddison, Angus (2007), Contours of the World Economy 1–2030 AD: Essays in Macro-Economic History, Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 41, {{ISBN|9780191647581}}</ref> and from 118 BCE the [[Via Domitia]] was built through the later site of the city.
 
===Roman period===
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</gallery>The city arose on the important [[Via Domitia]] which connected Italy with [[Hispania]].
 
Nîmes became a Roman colony as ''Colonia Nemausus'' sometime before 28 BCE, as witnessed by the earliest coins, which bear the abbreviation <small>NEM. COL</small>, "Colony of Nemausus".<ref>Colin M. Kraay, "The Chronology of the coinage of Colonia Nemausus", ''Numismatic Chronicle'' '''15''' (1955), pp. 75–87.</ref> Veterans of Julius Caesar's legions in his Nile campaigns were given plots of land to cultivate on the plain of Nîmes.<ref>Alain Veyrac, "Le symbolisme de l'as de Nîmes au crocodile" ''Archéologie et histoire romaine'' vol. 1 (1998) ([http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/dha_0755-7256_2000_num_26_2_2560 on-line text] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405014021/http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/dha_0755-7256_2000_num_26_2_2560 |date=5 April 2010 }}).</ref>
 
[[Augustus]] started a major building program in the city, as elsewhere in the empire. He also gave the town a ring of ramparts 6&nbsp;km ({{convert|6|km|abbr=off|disp=output only}}) long, reinforced by 14 towers; two gates remain today: the Porta Augusta and the Porte de France.
 
[[Augustus]] started a major building program in the city, as elsewhere in the empire. He also gave the town a ring of ramparts 6&nbsp;km ({{convert|6|km|abbr=off|disp=output only}}) long, reinforced by 14 towers; two gates remain today: the Porte d'Auguste and the Porte de France. Internally, the city was organized around the [[cardo]] and [[decumanus]], intersecting at the forum. The [[Maison carrée|Maison Carrée]], an exceptionally well-preserved temple dating from the late 1st century BCE, stands as one of the finest surviving examples of [[Roman temple|Roman temple architecture]]. Dedicated to [[Roma (personification)|Roma]] and Augustus, it bears striking resemblance to Rome's [[Temple of Portunus]], blending [[Etruscan architecture|Etruscan]] and [[Ancient Greek architecture|Greek]] design influences.<ref name=":0" />
The [[Maison Carrée]] dating from the late 1st c. BCE is one of the best-preserved temples to be found anywhere in the former Roman Empire, and appears to be almost totally intact.
 
The great [[Nimes Aqueduct]], many of whose remains can be seen today outside of the city, was built to bring water from the hills to the north. Where it crossed the river [[Gardon|Gard]] between [[Uzès]] and [[Remoulins]], the spectacular [[Pont du Gard]] was built. This is {{convertcvt|20|km|0|abbr=on}} north east of the city.
 
The museum contains many fine objects including mosaic floors, frescoes and sculpture from rich houses and buildings found in excavations in and near the city. It is known that the town had a civil basilica, a curia, a gymnasium and perhaps a circus. The [[Arena of Nîmes|amphitheatre]] is very well preserved, dates from the end of the 2nd century and was one of the largest amphitheatres in the Empire. The so-called [[Temple of Diana (Nîmes)|Temple of Diana]] dating from Augustus and rebuilt in the 2nd century was not a temple but was centred on a [[nymphaeum]] located within the [[Sanctuaire de la Fontaine|Fontaine Sanctuary]] dedicated to Augustus and may have been a library.
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By 725, the Muslim [[Umayyad Caliphate|Umayyads]] had conquered the whole Visigothic territory of [[Septimania]] including Nîmes. In 736–737, [[Charles Martel]] and his brother led an expedition to Septimania and Provence, and largely destroyed the city (in the hands of Umayyads allied with the local Gallo-Roman and Gothic nobility), including the amphitheatre, thereafter heading back north. The Muslim government came to an end in 752, when [[Pepin the Short]] captured the city. In 754, an uprising took place against the Carolingian king, but was put down, and count Radulf, a Frank, appointed as master of the city. After the events connected with the war, Nîmes was now only a shadow of the opulent [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] city it had once been. The local authorities installed themselves in the remains of [[Arena of Nîmes|the amphitheatre]].
Islamic burials have been found in Nîmes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Netburn |first1=Deborah |title=Earliest Known Medieval Muslim Graves are Discovered in France |url=http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-muslim-graves-france-20160222-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=24 February 2016 |access-date=3 December 2020 |archive-date=25 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225153655/http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-muslim-graves-france-20160222-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Newitz |first1=Annalee |title=Medieval Muslim Graves in France Reveal a Previously Unseen History |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2016/02/medieval-muslim-graves-in-france-reveal-a-previously-unseen-history/ |website=Ars Technica |date=24 February 2016 |access-date=3 December 2020 |archive-date=1 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201112701/https://arstechnica.com/science/2016/02/medieval-muslim-graves-in-france-reveal-a-previously-unseen-history/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=France's Earliest 'Muslim Burials' Found |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35660488 |work=BBC News |date=25 February 2016 |access-date=3 December 2020 |archive-date=7 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707025628/http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35660488 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author1=Gleize, Yves |author2=Mendisco, Fanny |author3=Pemonge, Marie-Hélène |author4=Hubert, Christophe |author5=Groppi, Alexis |author6=Houix, Bertrand |author7=Deguilloux, Marie-France |author8=Breuil, Jean-Yves |title=Early Medieval Muslim Graves in France: First Archaeological, Anthropological and Palaeogenomic Evidence |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=11 |issue=2 |pages=e0148583 |date=24 February 2016 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0148583 |pmid=26910855 |pmc=4765927 |bibcode=2016PLoSO..1148583G |doi-access=free}}</ref>
 
[[Charlemegne|Carolingian]] rule brought relative peace, but feudal times in the 12th century brought local troubles, which lasted until the days of [[Louis IX of France|St. Louis]]. During that period Nîmes was jointly administered by a laybishop, poweras residentwell as by a civil authority headquartered in the old amphitheatreamphitheater, where lived the Viguier and theMagistrate/ Knights of the ArenaViguier, andas thewell religious power based inas the BishopViguier's palace complexretainers, around the cathedral,Knights its chapter andof the Bishop's house;Arena. meanwhileMeanwhile the city was represented by four Consuls, whowhose satoffices were located in the old Maison Carrée.
 
Despite incessant feudal squabbling, Nîmes saw some progress both in commerce and industry as well as in stock-breeding and associated activities. After the last effort by [[Raymond VII of Toulouse]], St. Louis managed to establish royal power in the region which became [[Languedoc]]. Nîmes thus finally came into the hands of the King of France.
 
After the last effort by [[Raymond VII of Toulouse]], St. Louis managed to establish royal power in the region which became [[Languedoc]]. Nîmes thus finally came into the hands of the King of France.
 
===Period of invasions===
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===17th century to the French Revolution===
[[File:Les Quais de la Fontaine.jpg|thumb|left|Les Quais de la Fontaine, the embankments of the spring that provided water for the city, the first civic gardens of France, were laid out in 1738–551738–1755.]]
 
In the middle of the 17th century Nîmes experienced a period of prosperity. Population growth caused the town to expand, and slum housing to be replaced. To this period also belong the reconstruction of Notre-Dame-Saint-Castor, the Bishop's palace and numerous mansions (hôtels). This renaissance strengthened the manufacturing and industrial potential of the city, the population rising from 21,000 to 50,000 inhabitants.
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===From the French Revolution to the present===
Following a European economic crisis that hit Nîmes with full force, the [[French revolutionRevolution|Revolutionary period]] awoke the slumbering demons of political and religious antagonism. The [[Second White Terror|White Terror]] added to natural calamities and economic recession, produced murder, pillage and arson until 1815. Order was however restored in the course of the century, and Nîmes became the metropolis of Bas-Languedoc, diversifying its industry into new kinds of activity. At the same time the surrounding countryside adapted to market needs and shared in the general increase of wealth.
 
During the Second World War, the Maquis resistance fighters [http://www.midi-france.info/1016_ww2.htm Jean Robert and Vinicio Faïta were executed] at Nîmes on 22 April 1943.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.midi-france.info/1016_ww2.htm|title=The History of the Languedoc: The Second World War (World War II)|website=www.midi-france.info}}</ref> The Nîmes marshalling yards were [bombed by American bombers in 1944.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zplace2b.com/464th/sortie.htm|title=The 464th BG Mission List|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324043355/http://www.zplace2b.com/464th/sortie.htm|archive-date=24 bombedMarch by American bombers] in 1944.2009}}</ref>
 
The [[2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (France)|2e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie (2ºREI)]], the main motorised infantry regiment of the Foreign Legion, has been garrisoned in Nîmes since November 1983.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://2rei.legion-etrangere.com/mdl/info_seul.php?id=143&idA=28&block=15&idA_SM=0&titre=historique-du-2e-rei |title=Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, Historique du 2 REI, La Creation (Creation) |access-date=17 May 2018 |archive-date=30 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630212436/http://2rei.legion-etrangere.com/mdl/info_seul.php?id=143&idA=28&block=15&idA_SM=0&titre=historique-du-2e-rei |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 
=== Archaeology ===
In April 2024, a collection of glassware dating back to the [[Roman Empire|Roman period]] was discovered in Nîmes. The collection includes [[Strigil|strigils]], ornate [[Roman glass|glass vases]], ceramics, a glass paste cup, lamps, and fragments of funerary monuments and [[Amphora|amphorae]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Mark |date=2024-04-11 |title=Archaeologists uncover exquisite Roman glassware in Nîmes |url=https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/04/archaeologists-uncover-exquisite-roman-glassware-in-nimes/151466 |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=HeritageDaily - Archaeology News |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
== Geography ==
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{{Clear}}
{{Meteo France
|Town=Nîmes
|Sunshine= 2,664
|Rain=761.3
|Snow=2.4
|Storm=23.6
|Fog=10.6<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lameteo.org/index.php/12-climatologie/1544-normales-climatiques-1981-2010-nimes|title=Normales climatiques 1981-2010 : Nîmes|website=www.lameteo.org|access-date=25 August 2022}}</ref>
}}
<br>
{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Nîmes <small>([[Météo-France|Météo France Office]] Nîmes-[[w:fr:Courbessac|Courbessac]] , altitude 59m, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1922–present)</small>
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
Line 176 ⟶ 170:
|Dec record high C = 20.9
|year record high C = 44.4
|Jan avg record high C = 17.9
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|Mar avg record high C = 23.4
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|Nov avg record low C = -0.1
|Dec avg record low C = -2.5
|year avg record low C = -4.1
|Jan record low C = -12.2
|Feb record low C = -14.0
Line 282 ⟶ 302:
|Dec humidity = 72
|year humidity = 65.8
| Jan percentsun = 51
| Feb percentsun = 51
| Mar percentsun = 56
| Apr percentsun = 57
| May percentsun = 59
| Jun percentsun = 68
| Jul percentsun = 77
| Aug percentsun = 74
| Sep percentsun = 64
| Oct percentsun = 55
| Nov percentsun = 50
| Dec percentsun = 49
|Jan sun = 141.6
|Feb sun = 165.4
Line 307 ⟶ 327:
|Dec sun = 132.2
|year sun = 2679.8
|source 1= Météo France<ref name=Météo>{{cite web |url=https://donneespubliques.meteofrance.fr/FichesClim/FICHECLIM_30189001.pdf |title=Ficheclim - Nîmes-Courbessac 1991-2020 et records |publisher=Meteo France |language=fr |access-date=5 January 2022 |archive-date=30 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330143906/https://donneespubliques.meteofrance.fr/FichesClim/FICHECLIM_30189001.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|source 1= Météo France<ref name=Météo>{{cite web
| source 2= [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]] (percent sunshine 1961-1990),<ref name = noaa>{{cite web |url=http://geodata.lib.ncsu.edu/fedgov/noaa/clino/TABLES/REG_VI/FR/07645.TXT |title=Nîmes (07645) – WMO Weather Station |access-date=22 July 2019 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]] |archive-date=22 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722145825/http://geodata.lib.ncsu.edu/fedgov/noaa/clino/TABLES/REG_VI/FR/07645.TXT |url-status=live }}</ref> Infoclimat.fr (humidity 1961-1990)<ref name=Infoclimat>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214445/http://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie-07645-nimes-courbessac.html |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url=http://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie-07645-nimes-courbessac.html |title=Normes et records 1961–1990: Nimes-Courbessac (30) – altitude 59m |language=fr |publisher=Infoclimat |access-date=7 January 2016}}</ref>
| url = https://donneespubliques.meteofrance.fr/FichesClim/FICHECLIM_30189001.pdf
| title = Ficheclim - Nîmes-Courbessac 1991-2020 et records
| publisher = Meteo France
| language = fr
| access-date = 5 January 2022}}</ref>
| source 2= [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]] (percent sunshine 1961-1990),<ref name = noaa>{{cite web
| url = http://geodata.lib.ncsu.edu/fedgov/noaa/clino/TABLES/REG_VI/FR/07645.TXT
| title = Nîmes (07645) – WMO Weather Station
| access-date = 22 July 2019
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]}}</ref> Infoclimat.fr (humidity 1961-1990)<ref name=Infoclimat>{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214445/http://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie-07645-nimes-courbessac.html
| archive-date = 3 March 2016
| url = http://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie-07645-nimes-courbessac.html
| title = Normes et records 1961–1990: Nimes-Courbessac (30) – altitude 59m
| language = fr
| publisher = Infoclimat
| access-date = 7 January 2016}}</ref>
}}
{{Weather box
| width = auto <!-- 77% if there is a template or image next to it -->
| collapsed = y <!-- y, if you have normal updates -->
| open =
| metric first = y <!-- always, except UK or US cities -->
| single line = y
| location = Nîmes <small>([[Nîmes–Alès–Camargue–Cévennes Airport|Garons]], altitude 59m, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1964–present)</small>
<!--in the order as it appears in the table, not all of the following data may be available, especially records and days of precipitation -->
| Jan record high C =20.5
Line 425 ⟶ 429:
| Dec precipitation days =5.5
| year precipitation days =61.3
|source 1 = [[Météo-France]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://donneespubliques.meteofrance.fr/FichesClim/FICHECLIM_30258001.pdf |title=Fiche Climatologique Statistiques 1991-2020 et records |publisher=[[Météo-France]] |access-date=August 25, 2022 |archive-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825104821/https://donneespubliques.meteofrance.fr/FichesClim/FICHECLIM_30258001.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
|source 1 = [[Météo-France]]<ref>{{cite web
 
| url = https://donneespubliques.meteofrance.fr/FichesClim/FICHECLIM_30258001.pdf
{{Meteo France
|title=Fiche Climatologique Statistiques 1991-2020 et records
|Town=Nîmes
| publisher = [[Météo-France]]
|Sunshine= 2,664
| access-date = August 25, 2022}}</ref>}}
|Rain=761.3
|Snow=2.4
|Storm=23.6
|Fog=10.6<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lameteo.org/index.php/12-climatologie/1544-normales-climatiques-1981-2010-nimes |title=Normales climatiques 1981-2010 : Nîmes |website=www.lameteo.org |access-date=25 August 2022 |archive-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825104823/https://www.lameteo.org/index.php/12-climatologie/1544-normales-climatiques-1981-2010-nimes |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
 
==Sights==
[[File:Nimes-TourMagne.JPG|thumb|left|Tour Magne.]]
[[File:NimesJardins.jpg|thumb|left|The ''Jardins de la Fontaine''.]]
[[File:Nîmes-Hôtel de Ville-PA00103101.jpg|thumb|left|The ''[[Hôtel de Ville, Nîmes|Hôtel de Ville]]'']]
Several important remains of the [[Roman Empire]] can still be seen in and around Nîmes:
 
* The elliptical [[Arena of Nîmes|Roman amphitheatre]], of the 1st or 2nd century AD, is the best-preserved Roman arena in France. It was filled with medieval housing, when its walls served as [[Defensive wall|rampart]]s, but they were cleared under [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon]]. It is still used as a [[bull fighting]] and concert arena.
* The [[Maison Carrée]] (''Square House''), a small [[Roman temple]] dedicated to sons of [[Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa|Agrippa]] was built c. 19 BCE. It is one of the best-preserved Roman temples anywhere. Visitors can watch a short film about the history of Nîmes inside.
* The 18th-century ''Jardins de la Fontaine'' (Gardens of the Fountain) built around the Roman [[thermae]] ruins.
* The nearby [[Pont du Gard]], also built by Agrippa, is a well-preserved [[aqueduct (bridge)|aqueduct]] that used to carry water across the small [[Gardon]] river valley.
* The nearby Mont Cavalier is crowned by the ''Tour Magne'' ("Great Tower"), a ruined Roman tower.<ref>Giving rise to the example of ''[[rime richissime]]'' ''Gall, amant de la Reine, alla (tour magnanime)/ Gallament de l'Arène a la Tour Magne, à Nîmes'', or "Gall, lover of the Queen, passed (magnanimous gesture), gallantly from the Arena to the Tour Magne at Nîmes".</ref>
* The castellum divisorium, a rare vestige of a Roman water inlet system.
*The [[Hôtel de Ville, Nîmes|Hôtel de Ville]] was completed in 1703.<ref>{{Base Mérimée|PA00103101}}</ref>
 
Later monuments include:
* [[Nîmes Cathedral|The cathedral]] (dedicated to [[Saint Castor of Apt]], a native of the city), occupying, it is believed, the site of the temple of Augustus, is partly [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] and partly [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] in style.
* The [[Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nîmes]]
* The [[Musée de la Romanité]], a museum dedicated to Roman history, located outside the amphitheatre
 
Pieces of modern architecture can also be found : [[Norman Foster, Baron Foster of Thames Bank|Norman Foster]] conceived the ''Carré d'art'' (1986), a museum of modern art and ''mediatheque'', and [[Jean Nouvel]] designed the Nemausus, a [[post-modern]] residential ensemble.
 
== Economy ==
Nîmes is historically known for its textiles.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}} [[Denim]], the fabric of blue jeans, derives its name from this city (''[[Serge (fabric)|Serge]] de Nîmes''). The blue dye was imported via [[Genoa]] from [[Lahore]], the capital of the [[Great Mughal]].
 
==Population==
Line 461 ⟶ 472:
| cols = 2
| percentages = pagr
| source = EHESS<ref name=ehess>{{Cassini-Ehess|25041|Nîmes }}</ref> and INSEE (1968-2017)<ref name=pophist>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4515315?geo=COM-30189#ancre-POP_T1 Population en historique depuis 1968] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719145558/https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4515315?geo=COM-30189#ancre-POP_T1 |date=19 July 2022 }}, INSEE</ref>
| graph-pos = bottom
|1793 |40000
Line 503 ⟶ 514:
==Culture==
{{section refimprove|date=April 2023}}
From 1810 to 1822, [[Joseph Gergonne]] published in Nîmes a [[scientific journal]] specializing in [[mathematics]] from Nîmes called ''[[Annales de Gergonne]]''.
 
The [[asteroid]] [[51 Nemausa]] was named after Nîmes, where it was discovered in 1858.
Line 514 ⟶ 525:
 
==Transportation==
[[Nîmes-Alès-Camargue-Cévennes Airport]] serves the city, although its proximity with the much bigger [[Montpellier–Méditerranée Airport|Montpellier Airport]] has worked against its frequentation over the years. It is currently only served by Ryanair with an average of 3 flights per day, to destinationdestinations such as [[London]], [[Fez, Morocco|Fez]], [[Dublin]] or [[Marrakesh|Marrakech]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Innovante |first=Otidea : Agence de Communication |title=Vols & Destinations - Aéroport de Nîmes Alès Camargue Cévennes {{!}} Edeis |url=https://www.nimes.aeroport.fr/destinations-fr |access-date=2022-02-25 |website=www.nimes.aeroport.fr |language=fr |archive-date=17 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217231157/https://www.nimes.aeroport.fr/destinations-fr |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
The motorway [[A9 autoroute|A9]] connects Nîmes with Orange, Montpellier, Narbonne, and Perpignan, the [[A54 autoroute|A54]] with Arles and Salon-de-Provence.
Line 522 ⟶ 533:
The new [[contournement Nîmes – Montpellier]] high-speed rail line opened to passenger service on 15 December 2019 together with a new TGV station at [[Nîmes-Pont-du-Gard station]], located 12&nbsp;km outside the city. The station is also located on the existing route between Nìmes and Avignon, thus providing connections between the new line and local rail service.
 
Nîmes bus station is adjacent to the city centre railway station. Buses connect the city with nearby towns and villages not served by rail.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Accueil - Calculateur d'itinéraire du réseau liO en Occitanie |url=https://www.mestrajets.lio.laregion.fr/ |access-date=2022-02-25 |language=en |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225165829/https://www.mestrajets.lio.laregion.fr/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
==Sport==
The [[association football]] club [[Nîmes Olympique]], currently playing in LigueChampionnat 2National, is based in Nîmes.
 
World Archery Indoor World Cup takes place in Nîmes each year in mid January.
Line 536 ⟶ 547:
 
==Mayors==
* Émile Jourdan, [[Parti Communiste Français|PCF]] (1965–1983)
* Jean Bousquet, [[Union pour la Démocratie Française|UDF]] (1983–1995)
* Alain Clary, PCF (1995–2001)
* [[Jean-Paul Fournier]], [[The Republicans (France)|LR]] (since 2001)
 
==Notable people==
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
*[[Emmanuel Boileau de Castelnau]] (1857–1923), French alpinist
*[[Jean-César Vincens-Plauchut]] (1755–1801), French politician
 
Line 549 ⟶ 561:
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in France}}
 
Nîmes is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Jumelages |url=http://www.nimes.fr/index.php?id=327 |website=nimes.fr |publisher=Nîmes |language=fr |access-date=2019-11-15 |archive-date=7 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407175043/http://www.nimes.fr/index.php?id=327 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Official Nîmes Signing |url=https://www.fwsistercities.org/event/official-nimes-signing/ |website=fwsistercities.org |publisher=Fort Worth |access-date=2019-11-15 |archive-date=15 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115080635/https://www.fwsistercities.org/event/official-nimes-signing/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]], United Kingdom, since 1955
Line 563 ⟶ 575:
 
==See also==
* [[Costières de Nîmes AOC]]
* [[Communes of the Gard department]]
* [[Councils of Nîmes]]
* [[Feria de Nîmes]]
 
==References==
Line 573 ⟶ 585:
==Further reading==
{{See also|Timeline of Nîmes#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Nîmes}}
* {{Citation |publisher = J. Murray |location = London |title = A Handbook for Travellers in France |year = 1861 |edition=8th |chapter-url= https://archive.org/stream/handbookfortrave1861john#page/461/mode/2up |chapter= Nismes |ol = 24627024M }}
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Nîmes |volume= 19 | pages = 701&ndash;702 |short=1}}
* {{Citation |publisher = Baedeker |location = Leipzig |title = Southern France, including Corsica |year = 1914 |edition=6th |chapter-url= https://archive.org/stream/southernfrancein00karl#page/n675/mode/2up |chapter= Nimes |ol = 24364670M }}
 
==External links==
*[http://www.nimes.fr/ City council website]
{{Commons category|Nîmes}}
*[http://www.nimes-romaine.com/en/nimes/33-/ The official Web site of Roman Nîmes] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517101542/http://www.nimes-romaine.com/en/nimes/33-/ |date=17 May 2008 }}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* [http://www.nimes.fr/ City council website]
* [http://www.nimes-romaine.com/en/nimes/33-/ The official Web site of Roman Nîmes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517101542/http://www.nimes-romaine.com/en/nimes/33-/ |date=17 May 2008 }}
 
{{Sister bar|auto=y}}
{{Cities in France}}
{{Gard communes}}
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