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Introducing Nîmes
Plough your way through the bleak, traffic-clogged outskirts of Nîmes to reach its true heart, still beating there where the Romans established their town more than two millennia ago. Here, you’ll find some of France’s best-preserved classical buildings, together with some stunning modern constructions as the city continues its centuries-old rivalry with Montpellier, just down the autoroute.
The city’s other less obvious claim to fame is sartorial. During the 1849 Californian gold rush, one Levi Strauss was making trousers for miners. Looking for a tough, hardwearing fabric, he began importing the traditionally blue serge de Nîmes, nowadays known as denim.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
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