Flying North to travel South.

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After lunch we headed off to see the 'Running of the Bulls'. The Tourist Information Centre had given us a program with the various events listed but the street the bull event was happening in was a very long one and I naturally chose the wrong end. We eventually got there in time to see a bit of action but we were at the back of the crowds and my wife could see very little at all.

The street was another very wide one with a lovely pedestrian strip down the middle



The running event is set up with a fenced off stretch of road. The 'runners' stand along the fence line inside this enclosure. The bull is herded down the centre of the course between several riders so it seems relatively safe. I did see one person run inside the horse escort and slap the rump of the bull.

The bull running in front of his escort



After that we did some more wandering

The market street with another band



There were exhibitions of Sevillanas dancing. The dancing was cunningly conducted on a street level dance floor so most people had very restricted views. There was an elevated stage behind the dancers but it was not used.

The view my wife had

 

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Finishing off Nimes

We ended up walking around 25 km during our day in Nimes but luckily it is an extremely 'flat' city. On our way home I decided I wanted to have a quick look at the local Roman history museum. We were running short of time so I zoomed around far, far quicker than I normally would but from what I could see it was pretty good. It also covers local history through the middle ages.

Home - Musée de la Romanité à Nîmes

Vivez l'expérience historique au Musée de la Romanité à Nîmes! 25 siècles d'Histoire, 5000 pièces exceptionnelles 65 dispositifs multimédia pour s'immerger dans le passé du territoire Nîmois et comprendre l'influence de la civilisation romaine au fil des siècles.

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The museum building







The crocodile and palm tree appears on the local coinage




















Memorial stone for a gladiator.






More glassware than I expected

 

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As we finished off Nimes with the Romans it is only appropriate that I start again in Arles with the Baths of Constantine. Built in the 4th Century AD.

Thermes de Constantin in Arles | Visit A City

The Baths of Constantine or northern baths are ancient Roman baths dating back to the 4th century and built along the Rhone in Arles. The baths are named after the Emperor at the time that lived in Ar

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Many of the tiles still retain a pattern



You can see how more 'modern' buildings encroached into the remains of the baths.







The well known Roman heating systems