Nîmes Romaine / Arènes - Maison Carrée - Tour Magne
from 2010-04-17 to the 2010-04-18
The Great Roman Games
The city of Nîmes and Culturespaces, arena administrator, present in April 2010, an unseen gathering of the roman antiquity in France. Gladiator fights, parades, entertainment shows, roman tent camps, theme visits and much more… Live at the roman age for the time of a week-end!
PARADE, SHOW AND ROMAN TENT CAMP
On April 17th and 18th, for the first time since 2000 years, the spectacular Roman Games will come back to the Arena of Nîmes. A unique performance with more than 200 reformers coming from all around Europe!
The Great Show – « The Circus Games » – in the Arena
This one hour and half show is the occasion to live again “ludi”, (Roman Games) who made the famousness of the Roman Empire. Several scenes succeed each other until the great final. The spectacular roman parade, orchestrated by the “praecco”, (games animator), recount about the return of a campaign, on which will take part: legionnaires, Celts, gladiators and knight-riders presenting war trophies.
Equestrian exercises involving Romans and Gauls will give the possibility to the public to vote their favorite groups. Followed by a fighting chariot demonstration (race, javelin throw and ground fighting), gladiator fights on horseback and gladiators fighting on the ground, the public will chose the most valorous gladiator. A laurel crown will be given to the best gladiator. At the grand final, the great gladiator will march with the Emperor and his praetorian guard.
Saturday and Sunday from 4.30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The parade – in the streets of Nîmes
The amazing parade attesting the emperor’s triumph, will take place in the street of Nîmes with all the fighters. The Praetorian Guard will precede the emperor on is chariot who is followed by different foreign legions, knight-riders, Gauls and animals.
Saturday and Sunday at 12 p.m.
The Roman Camp – on the Arena ring
A roman tent camp will reborn for the pleasure of your eyes on the Arena ring. Discover the legionnaire camp site and take part in their training, try their arms and admire their equipment. The gladiator school opens his doors for the children!
Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
CULTURAL DEMONSTRATIONS
The city of Nîmes also organizes a series of demonstrations during the week-end:
Theme visits: The Romans sewers situated under the Arena, underground passages of the “Maison Carrée” (Roman temple) …
Exhibitions: At the archaeological museum, discover daily roman life: art crafts and educational workshops. You will also find different exhibitions talking about roman traditions.
Entertainment show: Dance performance at the Fines Arts museum and a dramatized visit « Le retour de Sextus » (The return of Sextus) in the “Les Jardins de la Fontaine” (public garden)…
Conference organized by the university of Nîmes on April 15th & 16th, introducing theme « Reconstruct Antiquity ».
THE TROOPS
Many troops, the most qualitative and efficient reformers from Europe, will form the greatest unseen gathering in southern France : Ars Maiorum (legionnaires, Nîmes) / ACTA (gladiators, Beaucaire) / VIème Légion (legionnaires, Arles) / Timetrotter (Romans knight-riders, Germany) / AERA (legionnaires, Germany) / Ambianis (Gauls, Amiens) / Via Romana (legionnaires, Val d’Oise) / Bagaconervio (legionnaires, Bavay) / Embonne (Legionnaires, Agde) / Mercenaires dy Temps / Ange Ruiz (Wars chariots, Arles) / XXIIème Légion de Bavay (legionnaires, Bavay) / Aurificina Treverica (Germany) / Forum Traiani (Germany) / Voyayeurs du temps (costums and equipment).
This great event is conjointly realized by the city of Nîmes and Culturespaces along with the University and the Tourism Office of Nîmes.
INFORMATIONS PRATIQUES
Opening hours
The Arena will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“La Maison Carrée » (Roman temple) and « la Tour Magne » (Defense Tour) will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Rates
Great Roman Games Pass 1 Day (Show + city animations + Tour Magne visit and 3D projection at Maison Carrée)
Adult: 23 € / reduce: 18 €
Great Roman Games Pass 2 Day (Show + city animations + Tour Magne visit and 3D projection at Maison Carrée)
Adult: 27 € / reduce: 21 €
Entertainment Show - The Circus Games (Show in Arena + city animations)
Adult: 18 € / reduce: 13 €
Adult: 18 € / reduce: 13 €
Reduce: Children (7 -17 years), students, teachers and work applicants
Groups: Minimum of 20 persons. Groups only on reservation at message@arenes-nimes.com
Free: Under 7 years old and disabled persons.
ROMAN NIMES
Worth the journey
The Arena, the Square House and the Magne Tower belong to the city of Nîmes and have been managed by Culturespaces since 2006.