Tour Magne in Nimes visitor guide

Visit Tour Magne in Nimes, France

The Tour Magne is one of several Roman monuments in the town of Nimes, in south-east France.

Discover the Tour Magne in Nimes

France This Way review: although it is less important than the other two roman monuments in Nimes, the Tour Magne is interesting to visit, has nice views across the town, and is set in a park that you will want to visit anyway, so why not visit the tower?!

The Tour Magne is situated in the park called Les Jardins de la Fontaine, a short distance west of the town centre of Nimes. It is at the highest point in the park so you have quite a steep walk even before you enter the tower - this can be hard work on a hot day!

The tower is important because it is the only remaining part of the fortified wall that surrounded the town in Roman times. In fact the tower already existed when the Romans occupied Nimes, certainly in the 3rd century BC. Although its original function is unknown, it is thought to have been part of a defensive structure or wall.

At this time the tower Magne was only 18 metres high at that time. It was later extended to 36 metres high, and the tower we see today is 32 metres high.

A ramp, about 70 metres long, leads you to the top of the lower part of the tower, which is larger and octagonal in shape, and then a staircase inside the tower (140 steps) leads you to the terrace with its views across Nimes.

This arangement does restrict access to the tower to those who are able to climb such a long staircase unaided, and is probably unsuitable if you don't like heights and confined spaces, because the stairs are quite narrow towards the top and you have to negotiate to let people pass if they are moving in the other direction, although the staircase itself is a new addition inside the tower.

Because the staircase is narrow, and the terrace quite small, you might find there is a queue to enter the monument if you visit in high season.

The views from the terrace are very far-reaching across the town of Nimes and the countryside beyond, even if they do not extend as far as the coast.

Note: if you plan to visit all three Roman monuments in Nimes (the others are the amphitheatre and the Maison Carrée) you can buy a combined ticket which allows access to all three monuments at a reduced price.

Attractions nearby

At the lower end of the same park you can see the Temple of Diana, the remains of a monastery built in the middle ages on a much older Roman building.

Elsewhere in Nimes you can visit the Roman amphitheatre and the temple known as the Maison Carrée, and explore the town centre - see the guide to Nimes for details.

See more Ancient Monuments in France. You can find more travel ideas in the Gard guide and the Languedoc-Roussillon guide.

To make travel arrangements to visit Tour Magne in Nimes see HERE