<BR> I am wondering if Nimes, France is a very big city? It appears pretty small, but does anyone know how long it would take to cover on foot? The reason I ask is to see if this is a town I could visit in a half day and get *most* of the highlights, or if I should stay longer. <BR> <BR> What would you recommend doing there? Anything in particular to do? <BR> <BR> Would you have any more recommendtaions for cities in southern France like this one? <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance! <BR>Patricia

I forgot to ask, please, if anyone knows where the Nimes Marseilles airport (FNI) is? Is it in the city center of Nimes, or is it, as I am afraid some point in between Nimes and Marseilles? Please could someone explain to me, as I can't find out anything about the airport. <BR> <BR>Thanks so much! <BR>Patricia

Hi Patricia! <BR> <BR>I would suggest staying in Montpellier intead of Nimes. It is MUCH prettier and livelier. Nimes is only a short train ride away. 1/2 a day is just right for Nimes. I have flown into the airport in Marseilles, which is about 10 to 15 miles outside of the city as I recall. I ABSOLUTELY adored my stay in Montpellier. <BR> <BR>Ross.

Ross, <BR> <BR> Thank you for your recommendations. I am going to look up more info on Montpellier too! It does seem interesting. Sorry for my questions, but is the airport 10-15 miles outside of Marseilles or Nimes?? Sorry I misread. <BR> <BR>Thanks again! <BR>Patricia

Nimes is pretty small and dosen't need more than 1/2 day. The main attraction is a colosiuem which is reportedly in the best condition of any in Europe. Close by is the Pont-du-gard which has a 2000 yr old Aqueduct still in use. I have always stayed in Montpellier which has been a good central point for the region. Avignon is also close by as well as Aiques Mortes, La Grande Motte and Sete. A few hours in the opposite direction (towards Spain) is Carcassonne which is a medieval, walled, town use to film Robin Hood with Kevin Costner & Morgan Freeman. Aiques Morte is a smaller version of Carcassonne and was used during the crusades as a disembarkment point. La Grande Motte is a seaport resort and Sete is a quaint, old fishing village.

As far as I know, there is no airport called Nimes-Marseille (unless it's pretty new in which case I don't know about it). The Nimes-Arles airport (airport code FNI) is just a couples miles SE of Nimes city center. Marseille airport (code MRS) is on the road between Salon and Marseille, quite a distance from Nimes. It would be a very cheap cab ride from Nimes airport to central Nimes. You can get a map of where it is at www.nimes.cci.fr/aeroport/geo.html There is a general French airport web site that has plans of all major airports and their flight schedules at www.aeroport.fr (in French) or www.french-airports.com (in English, not sure if the content is the same).

I never heard of the airport at Nimes. I always flew from Paris (Orly) to the airport at Montpellier.

<BR>Christina is absolutely correct about the airports. I believe the others are thinking about the Marseilles airport at Marignane which is very close to Aix-en-Provence and Salon. <BR> <BR>I dont understand why more posters dont invest a few bucks in a Red Michelin for France. So many questions like "is Nimes big?" will be answered factually In Michelin and there is at least one good map for every major city like Nimes and even some smaller towns and youll see clearly where the airports and train stations are located <BR> <BR>I have found a lot of my favorite hotels in Michelin by <BR>checking out the ones that sound right then faxing them fo a brochure using the number Michelin lists. <BR> <BR>Another good thing about Michelin is it gives you the distances to other cities for every place listed <BR> <BR>No I dont work for Michelin but good is good and I have never in scores of visits to France gone without a red Michein of recent vintage <BR> <BR>Dont get me wrong this is a fine site but its true value is in getting personal opinions on places and things in a way no guide book can. <BR> <BR>Have fun <BR>AH