Car Rental - Nimes
Unearth more than 2,000 years of Roman history in charming Nîmes, nestled just a few miles from the Mediterranean coast in the south of France. But it’s not all old-world style in this city – there’s a clutch of contemporary museums and galleries springing up, breathing fresh new life into the city.
Renting a car in Nîmes gives you the freedom to explore the surrounding area, with miles beaches and coastal cities within easy reach. We have pick-up points located around the city, including at the main railway station and at Nîmes Arlès Camargue Airport, so however you arrive, you can collect your car and be out on the open road as soon as possible.
Browse our collection of rental car vehicles in now in Nîmes and reserve in advance. There are no hidden extras to pay and it’s free to change or cancel your reservation up to two days before collection.
Nimes Locations
A Quick Guide to Nimes
Famous for its well-preserved Roman remains and its love of festivals, the lively city of Nîmes is a great base for discovering the south of France. With its excellent road connections to the coast and surrounding towns, including Arles and Avignon, you’ll find many attractions within easy reach. Jump in a sleek car rental and enjoy these Nîmes attractions.
Discover Roman Remains
Nîmes’ rich history is evidenced by the Roman remains scattered around the city. Begin tracing its heritage at the ancient temple Maison Carrée, one of the best-preserved structures of its type to be found anywhere in the world. Despite being built in 5CE, the building is well-preserved – the view from outside is best, where you can admire its magnificent columns and steps. Renting a car means you’ll get to avoid Nîmes’ public transport.
Continue your tour of Nîmes’ Roman attractions at Les Arènes, an amphitheatre thought to have been built around 70CE. Once able to seat tens of thousands of spectators, today it’s still in use as a venue for live music and other cultural events. Drink in the arched façade, inspired by Rome’s Colosseum, before heading into the arena to learn all about the gladiatorial battles that used to take place here.
Nîmes is also home to several other Roman remains, including the Temple of Diana on the outskirts of the city. This building is believed to have been destroyed around 1600 but today you can still see some of its columns, corridors and vaults. Close by is the Tour Magne or Great Tower, once part of the fortifications that protected the city.
Join in the Festivities
As well as its historical pedigree, Nîmes also prides itself on its array of cultural events that take place almost all year round. Holidays with the family can be more practical with a car rental.
Get swept up in the electric atmosphere of the annual Festival de Nîmes. During the summer months, contemporary music concerts entertain the crowds in the Roman amphitheater, so make sure you buy tickets in advance to join the fun.
Even in the winter the fiestas don’t stop, with the city hosting its flamenco festival. Watch world-class dancers stamp along to infectious beats or attend a class to try the Spanish art form yourself.
Exploring Avignon
Renting a car for your visit to Nîmes also allows you to visit some amazing destinations in the surrounding area. One of the best is Avignon, a leafy city on the banks of the river Rhône.
Head straight for the walled old town to discover more about Avignon’s history. In its heart is the Palais des Papes, one of the biggest gothic fortresses in Europe and the former home of several popes during the 14th century. Exploring the UNESCO-listed palace is a must, where you can see apartments decorated with colorful frescoes and meander along the tangle of hidden passageways.
If you’re visiting during the summer, bag tickets for the Festival d’Avignon. This lively event takes over the city throughout July and is one of the biggest performing arts festivals in the world, with many of the performances taking place in the main courtyard of Palais des Papes.
With a rental car from Nîmes you’ll find all this and more within easy reach during your stay in France.
Driving In and Around Nimes
Tucked among the lush countryside of the Occitanie region, Nîmes is easy to get around thanks to a series of major roads running through the city. Renting a car makes it even easier as you can travel on your own schedule.
The A9 links the north-east of the city to the south-west, while the N106 covers the entire western side. The D999 snakes through the heart of Nîmes and out into the suburbs.
If you’re planning on exploring Les Jardins de la Fontaine, manicured gardens punctuated by Roman ruins, use the Quadi de la Fontaine. Those wishing to explore the Roman sites of the historic district note that most of this area is pedestrianized, so make use of the many parking lots for your holiday or business car rental found throughout the Nîmes.
Nîmes is also well-connected to many other destinations in the surrounding area by autoroutes, the French highways, which are usually toll roads. Take the A54 south and in 40 minutes you’ll reach Arles, another historic city with oodles of Roman heritage. To visit Montpellier on the coast, follow the A9 and you’ll reach the elegant destination in an hour.
If you want a change of tempo from Nîmes city life, drive along the A9 and D979 to Plage de l'Espiguette on the coast. Park up your rental car and enjoy this wild stretch of beach is just the place to soak up the sun and take a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean. Alternatively, the D999 will take you into the hills and in under an hour you can visit Les Baux de Provence, a dramatic hilltop village with a wealth of medieval history.
Like the rest of mainland Europe, in France you’ll drive on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left. French autoroutes, the main roads linking major towns and cities, are tolled along some stretches. The speed limit on these routes is 130km/h (80 mph), dropping to 110km/h (68mph) in wet conditions.
