NĪMES
Nīmes, a city that lies on the borders between the French regions of Provence and Languedoc, is linked with two identities. One is Rome, notably for the presence of extensive Roman ruins in its city. The city was built by Caesar and further developed by Augustus. It boasts an impressive amphitheatre and possibly because of this fact the city is twined with Verona, the other home of a two storey Arena. The Arena of Verona is now used for Operatic performances while the Arena in Nīmes is still used for bullfights. It also has an interesting Aqueduct, a roman fortification and The other is Denim, derived from the textile Serge de Nīmes, de nim, first manufactured in the city and exported to the Americas to dress the slaves in the nineteenth century, although this history is being argued by many as the original Serge De Nīmes fabric was a mixture of silk and wool while we all know the base of denim is cotton. The city was also the base of the Occitan movement that fought for distinction from the distant Pairs in the 1700 hundreds. This independence evades the sense of the city and can be seen in its traditional memory mixed with vibrant new architecture. The city sits among the beautiful Provence countryside and makes a good starting point from which to explore the area and enjoy the surrounding wine country. There are also lengths of beach nearby, not crowded like the ones further along the cotes d'Azor. The city itself is worth a visit, not only for its ancient treasures but also for the modern elements that drive the Nīmes of today. These include works from an established list of Philippe Starck, Norman Forester, Jean Nouvel and Kisho Kurokawa.
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