The announcer gave a long introduction (in French only) and part way through the sound system went down. The views were fantastic. Back in its prime, the Roman Arena boasted a capacity of 20,000 spectators spread across three tiers. It is also the largest amphitheatre ever built. One of the best Roman sites in France. It is located on the Southern slope of the Three Hills, in the saddle between Taksim and Dzhambaz tepe. This is the best preserved and most complete Roman amphitheatre in the world, and is a must see. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Arena was restored in 2006-7 and is still in use for events including bullfights. Rumours are that it could hold a capacity of between 50,000 to 80,000. Well preserved, with interesting English and French explanations about how the arena was used throughout time. for a few extra euros over the price of admission, you get admission into 4 sites and a museum. The amphitheatre could hold over 20,000 people and survived exceptionally well through the ages. The Arena is the only remaining Roman amphitheatre to have four side towers and with all three Roman architectural orders entirely preserved. (see link 1 below). The theatre was constructed on a natural slope of a hill. Below are some of the best. Constructed in the 1st century, this arena is located in the 5th arrondissement, off Rue Monge, in Paris and is often overlooked today by visitors as it is hidden away behind stone walls and buildings. Prices and download plans . Its excellent state of preservation means that it is even still used today, not for … Ask martinunderhillmk about Amphitheatre (les Arenes), Ask G4310FUjonathana about Amphitheatre (les Arenes), Ask Henry W about Amphitheatre (les Arenes), Ask rebeccap296 about Amphitheatre (les Arenes), Ask Rowie47 about Amphitheatre (les Arenes), Ask Fleur d about Amphitheatre (les Arenes), Hotels near Musee Departemental Arles Antique, Hotels near Parc Naturel Regional de Camargue, Hotels near St-Trophime Cloister (Cloitre St-Trophime), Hotels near Jonquieres-Saint-Vincent Station, St-Trophime Cloister (Cloitre St-Trophime), The Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation for Documentary Photography & Film, Musee Departemental Arles Antique: Tickets & Tours‎, Parc Naturel Regional de Camargue: Tickets & Tours‎, Amphitheatre (les Arenes): Tickets & Tours‎, St-Trophime Cloister (Cloitre St-Trophime): Tickets & Tours‎, Fondation Vincent Van Gogh Arles: Tickets & Tours‎, Le Sentier des Moulins d'Alphonse Daudet: Tickets & Tours‎, Aqueduc Romain de Barbegal: Tickets & Tours‎. Each was accessed via a gallery and hundred of stairwells and passages called vomitories. Claimed to be "the best preserved amphitheatre of the Roman era." - See 5,357 traveller reviews, 3,274 candid photos, and great deals for Nimes, France, at Tripadvisor. Caerleon Roman Amphitheatre: Caerleon, Newport, Wales: c. 80 A well preserved Roman amphitheatre, oval in shape with eight entrances, used during the Roman settlement period at Isca Augusta for events with a capacity of around six thousand. (see link 1 below). Each year, the Feria de Nîmes, highlighting bull fighting, is held there to an audience of up to 13,000 people. On the Fouviere hill above the city of Lyon, there is a whole area of Roman ruins and baths and in the centre is a Roman amphitheatre. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. It still proves to be one of Southern France’s most popular tourist destinations and this is probably because the authorities have still managed to keep it in a highly preserved state. So interesting. Many amphitheatres were built during Roman times, around 1 AD. The ancient theatre of Orange still hosts concerts and operas 2,000 years after it was built (under the rule of Augustus), granting visitors a very special sense of the place as a living performance space. 21 metres high, its exterior façade comprises two floors of 60 superimposed arches and an attic, separated by a cornice. Throughout the year there are live concerts/events. Through the centuries, its stones have been removed to help reinforce Paris’ defences, it’s been used as a cemetery, and eventually was filled in. Many of these are about how it was built and about all the man power and effort involved. Paris Roman Amphitheatre: Arènes de Lutèce (J. Chung). Tour And Tasting At Palais Bénédictine In Fécamp, Film Festival Favourites: French Movies Worth Seeing. What a remarkable and well preserved stadium this is and how many thoughts and questions it puts into the mind. You can see  that the main road, Rue Victor Hugo, passes right by it. It measures 3.55 meters high. Arenes de Nimes: Best preserved Roman amphitheatre ! Roman Theatre of Orange, France. The Arena of Nîmes is a Roman amphitheatre, situated in the French city of Nîmes.Built around 70 CE, shortly after the Coliseum of Rome, it is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world. In June 2019, the Nuits des Arènes held four days of events including debates. Please refer to my Terms and Conditions for information about the affiliate links to products and services that are on my website. Amphitheatre de Pula: Best preserved (and partly restored) roman Amphitheatre in the world - See 5,129 traveller reviews, 5,378 candid photos, and great deals for Pula, Croatia, at Tripadvisor. the roman amphitheater is one of the biggest amphitheaters along with that in Jerash that are maintained till today, the whole area down town Amman is a must to see, starting with the nemphium, and ending with the amphitheater. It is very well preserved and while much has been renovated (ie. Perhaps its because of the restored statue of Augustus in the centre of the enormous backdrop for the stage. As you can see in the photo, a stage with sound and lights are being set up for one of the many concerts and special events that are held in the amphitheatre. The city of Bath, known as Aquae Sulis in ancient times, is home to some of the best-preserved Roman baths in Europe. Arena in Pula, Croatia. During the rule of Emperor Augustus, many were built in France and are often called “Arenas” (Arènes). Orange Roman Amphitheatre: Théatre Antique d’Orange. Claimed to be "the best preserved amphitheatre of the Roman era." From the outside you get an impression of the importance of Nimes to the Romans both as a business and cultural hub. The arena is still used for bull fighting, and can host 20,000 spectators. Compelled to go in, you are given a chance to uncover the history of the arena, which we did with gusto. Emperor Augustus was ruling when it was built in the 1st century AD. Amphitheatre (les Arenes): Best preserved Roman Amphitheatre in the world! It was eventually turned into a public square, “Square des a. This two-tiered Roman amphitheatre is probably the most prominent tourist attraction in the city of Arles, which thrived in Roman times. The Roman Theatre of Orange is a UNESCO World Heritage site (since 1981). Ways to Experience Amphitheatre (les Arenes), Points of Interest & Landmarks, Sacred & Religious Sites. We wandered through the galleries and went up the tower. the seating), you still get a sense of what it was like to see the gladiators fighting during Roman times. The stage wall is three stories tall and entertainment was provided to the public for free (ie. As in all amphitheatres, Verona Arena held famous gladiator fights and the hunts of fierce exotic animals. It’s also surprising to see a Roman ruin in the north of France. The History of Pompeii and the Amphitheater Pompeii was originally an Oscan settlement made up of five villages. Virtual reality visit where you learn about the construction of the Roman theatre. We did come back in the afternoon for the 'Gladiator Fights' quite interesting as we didn't realise they had referees (we did see this in the Museum de la Romanities in Nimes). The Ancient theatre of Philipoppol is one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in the World. Quite an experience to be sight seeing in Provence and see Roman Ruins. They do have tours, but we just used our trusty Rick Steves book. Today, it is a popular hangout for families where children can run around, young people play soccer and just hang out as there is reconstructed seating and steps and some greenery in the area. The Nimes arena is considered to be the world’s best-preserved amphitheatre built around 100 AD, soon after the Roman Colosseum had been built. Gladiator fighting and theatrical events took place for an audience of 24,000. Tickets are 9 euro’s and you can go and see the theatre as well. Please share! The site is located in the heart of the town of Lillebonne, which is located in Normandy, just 35 kilometres southeast of Etretat. One of the best-preserved and possibly the oldest extant amphitheaters is found at Pompeii. Ruins of the best preserved Roman amphitheatre. Although not as large as the Colloseum in Rome it's the best to visit in the vicinity of the amphitheater there is another smaller one. It’s rather remarkable what good shape the Lillebonne amphitheatre is in, considering it was built in the 1st, It’s open from mid-June to mid-September and is free to enter. Best preserved Roman ruins of Tunisian Amphitheatre in El Djem, Tunisia, Africa - Buy this stock photo and explore similar images at Adobe Stock In the summer, there is the annual opera festival, Chorégies d’Orange. Learn how your comment data is processed. We went in the morning on our City Pass and saw there were gladiator fights in the afternoon. It is one of the many structures that were protected by deep ash and debris when Mt Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. The city itself is very Nice as well. Displays about the history of gladiators and Roman games are on different levels of the amphitheatre. An amphitheatre is an open-air venue for sports, performances, and entertainment. It’s hard to imagine a better preserved Roman amphitheatre than this wonderfully atmospheric Provencal site. The amphitheatre could hold over 20,000 people and survived exceptionally well through the ages. The Arles amphitheatre was constructed around 80 AD and it held numerous gladiator fights before 20,000 spectators. There are certainly bigger Roman amphitheatres, but this one is the best preserved of all of them. The Colosseum in Rome, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is probably the most recognised and prestigious amphitheatres in Europe. Corcorde d’Or-Arles Amphitheatre (J. Chung). Special events, like the Cocarde d’Or La Course Camarguaise bullfight that I attended, are held there. Visiting an ancient Roman Amphitheatre is truly a powerful experience that allows you to travel back in time, and imagine the cruel and bloody battles that took place in these arenas. (We couldn't walk out onto the Arena sand as we could in Nimes). Want to see a well-preserved Amphitheatre with your own eyes? It was built in two stages: first in 15 BC and later in the 2nd century where seating was added to accommodate up to 10,000 people. A bit smaller the the Colosseum in Rome but really spectacular. This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. The Amphitheatre of Nîmes is a perfect illustration of the degree of perfection attained by Roman engineers in designing and constructing this type of extremely complex building. poetry readings, acting, pantomimes and in later years, church plays) and today, it is more than just a historical site. The entry fee includes an audio guide which gives a potted history of Roman Arles and the importance of … UNESCO world heritage site. [citation needed] It is 133 meters long (145 yards) and 101 meters wide (110 yards), with an arena measuring 68 meters (74 yards) by 38 meters (32 yards). Remains of animal cages can be found on the site. Some parts of the original stage have been found, underneath the road and Place Felix Fauré. Click on the map (or this link: Roman Amphitheatres) and you’ll be directed to a Google Map. Since 2007 there have been archeological excavations to restore the theatre. With a population of around 5,000, Acinipo thrived in the 1st century AD due to its proximity to Seville, Córdoba and the coast. This UNESCO listed Roman-built sports arena is still in use today. Napoleon III, Baron Haussmann, and Victor Hugo were some of the public figures who campaigned and arranged for its restoration. Google and the Google logo are registered trademarks of Google LLC, used with permission. Emperor Augustus-Orange Roman Amphitheatre (J. Chung). https://www.francetraveltips.com/roman-amphitheatres-france-events - See 3,288 traveler reviews, 2,569 candid photos, and great deals for Arles, France, at Tripadvisor. more. The subsequent history of the Amphitheatre is also fascinating.For those in Arles this is surely a "must see". It was in operation until the 3rd century and then turned into a fortress. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Arles Amphitheatre is a brilliantly preserved Roman site in France which was built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus. A bit smaller the the Colosseum in Rome but really spectacular.They still hold bullfights and concerts here so it has a use similar to that it was designed for.The audio tour (in English) was included in the entry price and it gives a good tour and explanation of the history.If you are in the area this is highly recommended. May 28, 2013 - Amphitheatre (Les Arènes) at Nîmes. Here’s a list of 12 Roman Amphitheatres around the world which are definitely worth visiting. One helpful hint: The liberty pass is a must! Arena was restored in 2006-7 a… It wasn’t until the 1800s that work was done to unearth the amphitheatre and preserve the archeological findings. The best preserved roman amphitheatre in britain, situated in carleon near newport, wales. Then thoughts about how the stadium was used in Roman times are disturbing. Roman Amphitheatre in Lillebonne (J. Chung). The 2018 Paris Gay Games held a pétanque event here. Not to be deterred he continued without and it did show the wonderful acoustics of the Arena. Discover El Jem Amphitheatre in El Jem, Tunisia: The largest and best-preserved Roman amphitheater in Africa was designed to seat 35,000 people. Concerts, theatrical performances, and multimedia events take place there often. But no doubt we could have found it if we had bought a guidebook. Amphitheatre (Les Arènes) at Nîmes. The Pula Arena (Croatian: Pulska Arena, Italian: Arena di Pola) is the name of the amphitheatre located in Pula, Croatia. Built as part of the Roman equivalent of modern Nîmes (Nemausus), and completed in 1st century AD in similar style to the Colosseum in Rome but with only two tiers. Fortunately, many are still standing and they are worth visiting. At the top, pre-drilled stones were positioned to overhang so that long poles cou… I personally think that of all the Roman amphitheatres in France that I’ve seen, the one in Orange is the most impressive. 6. Roman Arena in Arles. El Djem Amphitheatre in Tunisia is the best preserved Roman Amphitheatre in the world. Napoleon III, Baron Haussmann, and Victor Hugo were some of the public figures who campaigned and arranged for its restoration. It’s rather remarkable what good shape the Lillebonne amphitheatre is in, considering it was built in the 1st  and 2nd centuries. It was used as a theatre and amphitheatre to showcase gladiator combats and animal acts to audiences as large as 15,000 spectators. They were oval, round, or semi-circular in shape with seating for 10s of thousands of people. One of the most popular events is the “Nuits de Fourvière”, a musical festival which is held in the summer. Your ticket also provides entry into the theatre ruins, make sure you soak up both. Arles Amphitheatre is a brilliantly preserved Roman site in France which was built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus. It’s very beauriful. Concerts are also held there throughout the year. The only dfisappointment was that there was seemingly no information about the building to see as one went around. It was eventually turned into a public square, “Square des arènes de Lutèce”. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Sign in Sign up for FREE Prices and download plans Over three days in May, the Roman games are re-enacted in the “Spartacus Roman Games”. The arena covered an area of 83 metres by 48 metres. They generate a small income to me if you choose to use them, at no cost to you. Save Comp In Roman times, the monument could hold 24,000 spectators spread over 34 rows of terraces divided into four separate areas or maeniana. One of the best Roman sites in France. The best place to admire the remains of Roman "Provincia Gallia Narbonensis" - the best set of Roman remains in France - is the small city of Nimes, often called the Rome of France.Nimes boasts half a dozen well preserved Roman sites, most importantly the Maison Carrée (photo top of page), a former temple; this is arguably the best preserved Roman temple anywhere in the world. One of the best-preserved Roman theatres in Spain is found on a hilltop 19 kilometres (12 miles) northeast of Ronda, where a prosperous Roman settlement called Acinipo once stood. This UNESCO listed Roman-built sports arena is still in use today. Amphitheatre de Pula: Best preserved (and partly restored) roman Amphitheatre in the world - See 5,134 traveller reviews, 5,389 candid photos, and great deals for Pula, Croatia, at Tripadvisor. It demonstrates perfect symmetry: oval-shaped, it measures 133 metres long and 101 metres wide, with an arena of 68 by 38 metres. Amazing arena in the heart of Arles. 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