Ferias L’Esprit 2025: De Fete Nimes

Bon soir!

Ferias L’Esprit 2025: De Fete Nimes means “fairs the spirit 2025 festive Nimes”. There is likely a better non-literal definition. Since last Sunday we have watched the main streets that form the border of old town Nimes fill with white topped tents, light and sound fixtures and styrofoam decorative items. Today, and especially tonight we saw the results. Take note, it is only Thursday. Who knows how tonight’s festivities will amplify over the next three days, which we will not see as we leave Nimes about 2:30 tomorrow afternoon.

One thing that piqued our curiosity was a quite large Styrofoam structure. Over several days it was pieced together and raised in increments above the streets. Tonight we observed it in all of its glory.

The streets are an orgy of food and drink. The featured food looks to be paella, as it is advertised prominently in the billboards for numerous restaurants on the streets. Starting tomorrow there is a lot of music, dancing and other performing arts. There are parades including a Horse parade? where white equines are herded through the streets. Other events include jousting from multi person row boats, lectures, and finally a bull fight (I think just one).

The event is a historical icon for Nimes and estimated to be attended by 250,000 people in this city of 150,000.  You can tell it is an important event by the quality of its port-a-potties.

Au revoir!