Musée de la Romanité

About the museum

The museum’s collections go back to the 16th century, when traces of Roman Nîmes were rediscovered. Antiquarians, including the scholar Jean-François Séguier in the 18th century, gathered the ancient pieces, which were later displayed in the Maison Carrée, the city’s first museum from 1823, and then in the former Jesuit college, where the archaeological museum was housed at the end of the 19th century.

The project for a new museum was revived after preventive excavations in 2006 and 2007 uncovered a Roman house and two exceptional mosaics, known as the mosaics of Achilles and Pentheus. As the archaeological museum had become too cramped, a competition was launched in 2011, and the practice of architect Elizabeth de Portzamparc won it.

The museum opened in 2018, facing the arena, in a contemporary building with a pleated glass façade evoking a rippling mosaic. The permanent display of around 5,000 pieces tells 25 centuries of the area’s history: Gaul and the god Nemausus, the Roman period with its statues, mosaics and reconstructed elements of a villa, and then the Middle Ages. The museum also has a bookshop-boutique, a restaurant, an archaeological garden and a rooftop terrace with a view over the city.

Highlights

• Mosaics of Achilles and Pentheus, discovered in 2006–2007
• Reconstruction of elements of a Roman villa
• Statues, mosaics and everyday objects from ancient Nîmes
• Building by Elizabeth de Portzamparc facing the arena
• 360° rooftop terrace and archaeological garden
• More than 60 multimedia displays

Permanent exhibitions

• Parcours permanent – A journey through 25 centuries of Nîmes’ history, from Gaul through the Roman period to the Middle Ages, with statues, mosaics and reconstructions.
• Jardin archéologique – A Mediterranean garden crossed by ruins, open to museum visitors.

Founded

2018

Operated by

Ville de Nîmes

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month (except July and August), during the European Heritage Days weekend and during the European Museum Night

The ticket is valid for the day and covers the permanent display and the temporary exhibition. Free admission also applies, with proof, to recipients of minimum social benefits, ICOM members, holders of the Ministry of Culture card and journalists. Payment by cash, bank card, American Express or ANCV holiday vouchers; the Pass Culture is accepted. Passes and subscriptions are offered on the museum’s website.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The site describes itself as fully accessible, indoors, in the garden and on the rooftop terrace, by lifts or ramps. Three wheelchairs and seat canes are lent at the cloakroom. A drop-off point is 50 metres from the entrance. An adapted visioguide offers routes with subtitles, French Sign Language and audio description; a touch route with facsimiles, models and raised images is installed. The MuséoZen programme offers quiet visiting times on the first Wednesday of the month and a sensory kit all year round.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

“Via Mini” self-guided route for ages 3–5, free activity booklets for ages 6–12, a visioguide adapted for children, step stools in front of the display cases, a quiet area with books for the youngest visitors and many interactive multimedia displays. Two pushchairs are lent at the cloakroom. Changing tables are in all the toilets. Free for under-7s.

Getting there & parking

From the A9 or A54, take the Nîmes centre exit towards the city centre. The museum faces the arena at 16 boulevard des Arènes. Nîmes-Pont-du-Gard station and Nîmes Grande Provence Méditerranée airport (Garons) are also options.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Bookshop-boutique, restaurant with a view of the arena and the Café du Musée in the immediate vicinity, archaeological garden and rooftop terrace. Free cloakroom for clothing and bags of cabin size. Animals are not allowed inside, except guide dogs.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 500 guests.

Spaces for hire for meetings, cocktails, product launches, gala dinners and seminars: auditorium with 180 seats, reception room of 189 m² with terrace (up to 180 people), rooftop terrace (up to 500 people, from late May to October), entrance hall and archaeological garden.

Plan your visit