Week-end program

Saturday and Sunday
 
10 a.m: Procession of troops taking part in the re-enactment - in city centre streets

10 a.m-7 p.m: Costume rental

This year again, you can rent a costume for a Roman civilian and really get to the heart of the action. In partnership with sixth-formers studying dress designing/model-making at the Lycée Saint Vincent de Paul, these costumes were created to be as historically accurate as possible, thanks to the advice of the historian Eric Dars.
Participants in costume can enjoy a prime place during the events by presenting their access bracelet (Imperial cult ceremony, historical reenactment). Make sure your shoes fit in with the costume (Roman sandals, sandals or espadrilles).
Rental rate for the day: adult: € 10 / Child: € 5
Guarantee: € 50 by costume (check)

10 a.m-2.30 p.m: Workshop for children - on the Arena ring

"Little gladiators" workshop: children can try out the gladiator equipment and practise handling the wooden gladius with professionals.                                                               
"Little Gauls" workshop: supervised by Celtic reenactors, children can handle the weapons of the Gauls: helmets, swords, shields.
"Little Legionnaires" workshop: children will learn to fight like a Roman legionnaire: marching, testudo formation, etc.

10.30 a.m (sunday only): Celtic ceremony - in the Fontaine Gardens

This ceremony dates back to the time of the Gallic wars (58-51 BC).  In this transitional period, the Gauls in the region were allied with Caesar. This Celtic ceremony is in honour of the god Nemos. Conducted by a druid assisted by a bard, it is a gathering of Gallic warriors from the Volcae Arecomici tribe, with a Roman officer present to consecrate this alliance.

11.30 a.m-noon: "The Imperial cult ceremony" - in front of the Maison Carrée

In the forecourt of the Maison Carrée, the priests of the Imperial cult perform a ceremony in honour of Emperor Hadrian passing through Nîmes. The ceremony is all in Latin with historical explanations given by the "praeco". The majority of traditional rites were observed during the "Imperial ceremonies": invocation, prayer, libation and sacrifice.

Noon-12.30 p.m: The triumphal procession of Hadrian - boulevard Victor Hugo

After returning from Britain, Hadrian proceeds to Nîmes and marches through the city with his legionaries, auxiliaries and Celtic mercenaries who fought on his side. This procession also presents the fighters offered to the people of Nîmes for the Great Roman Games: prisoners of war, cavalrymen, and gladiators who will fight in the amphitheatre.

4 p.m-6 p.m: "The Great Roman Games. The Triumph of Caesar" - in the Amphitheatre

This event is a historical evocation of the amphitheatre games as they could have taken place in 122 AD. The costumes, weapons and equipment used are based on accurate historical and archaeological sources. The fighting techniques displayed are also the result of rigorous experiments. This intentionally historical approach is unique in the field. It allows us to experience the reality of Ancient Rome.
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