Nîmes Urban Trail 2026

Welcome to Nîmes (or Nemausus, as the Romans would say 🤓) and enter the arena with this Urban Trail, also known as « NUT »! 🏟️ The capital of the Gard department in Occitania, offers you 5 distances, including kids' races, for an extraordinary guided tour in this famous Gallo-Roman city 🏛️: a hike of 10 km and four trails of 10 km and 320 mD+, 16 km and 480 mD+, 24 km and 650 mD+ and 42 km and 1,100 mD+, all during a February day ❄️. Inspired by the pioneer Lyon Urban Trail, this 11th edition southern event 😎 offers its own way to discover the city and its unknown spots 🤩. 

The Roman heritage of this city dates back to the 2nd century BC when the Romans conquered southern Gaul and created Nîmes, initially one of the largest colonies and serving as a fortified city ⚔️. The city is constructed like Roman cities: two perpendicular roads crossing at its center where the forum is located 📍. All right, let's put away the history books 📚 and put on sporty shoes 👟, but let's admit that the origin of this city is interesting! 👀 The start and finish are in the fabulous arenas of Nîmes 😍 which, as in the past, host internationally renowned events 🌎, such as concerts (David Guetta, Daft Punk 🪩 and many others), sports matches (notably handball in a crazy atmosphere!) and charity events like the Téléthon 🎗️ in 2008! 🎭

Throughout your race, you'll dive into the heritage of Ancient Rome 🏛️ with a visit to the best spots in the city: the Maison Carrée, almost 2,000 years old ! 🤯 You'll also see La Tour Magne: a Gallo-Roman structure overlooking les Jardins de la Fontaine 🌻... But hurry up because there are still kilometers to traverse! 😂 The path will also lead you to the cadereaux of Nîmes, small dry streams that drain water from the garrigues. A few climbs will follow with the city stairs, cobbled alleys, and the « montée du Tire-Cul » 🤭: part of the race where you'll be most cheered as most spectators gather there like Tour de France supporters 🚴. So like Thibaut Pinot, climb the 18% amid cheers from Nîmes locals in costumes 🦸‍♀️. By the way, there will be a serious costume contest: the winner will receive a superb crocodile trophy 🐊 and a cozy weekend for 2 people 🫂. Worth it, right? A little nature will brighten your path, especially the wood of Espeisses 🌳, the hills ⛰️ and the Grotte des Fées 🧚‍♂️ on the longer distances. And the grand finale: crossing the Levrette café, one of the liveliest bars in the center 📍. You'll get a little pick-me-up to boost you before the stairs of the last meters... 🥃

Le NUT is not just a city tour! It's also a shared moment where the party 🎉 will be there. Even locals will be surprised to discover totally unusual places and others transformed for the occasion! We're thinking especially of the underground cadereaux turned into a giant nightclub! 🕺🏻 You got it. More than a race, the Nîmes Urban Trail is an experience to live to the fullest without half measures. You won't notice the kilometers passing, and at the end, you might even want more 😜. Did you enjoy the festive atmosphere of this trail? 😏 Then don't hesitate to return in June for the famous féria and the other bodegas. Otherwise, right now, Gard is definitely worth a visit, especially if you love Roman heritage with the famous 🌉 or nature with the gorges of Verdon 🌟. As for gastronomy 🍴, between the cod brandade 🐟 and the tapenade, you can indulge yourself! 😋 Bold flavors, respect for the product, and lightness are the highlights of Southern cuisine ☀️. Musicians 🎷, volunteers, and locals will welcome you in a festive atmosphere 🥳, discovering a rich and sumptuous heritage.

So, stop grumbling (as a true Nîmes local would say) and come have fun in the land of cicadas! At the end, you can tell us that you LOOOOVE NUTELLA!