Musée du Vieux Nîmes

Museum of Old nimes but with some weird contemporary pieces? My personal fave bits were the demin loom and original denim garments. Staff friendly and helpful. Worth a visit especially when it is included with the exceptional value Nimes Pass (purchase this online)

Very interesting museum for a 5 euro entrance fee. The personnel were very kind and helpful. Some of the floors of the building were as amazing as the displays. The origin of Denim has its own room to show how it originated in Nimes and has evolved. (De Nimes = Denim). It's on two floors and as I recall there is no lift which is unfortunate for many people but I suppose it's good to know that before you begin your visit.

I absolutely ADORED how the museum integrated the fixed collection with the temporary works of the week of contemporary art in Nimes. Super creative work and overall amazing museum experience!

not many exhibits. With a student card you get a discount, children under 18 get it for free

Wonderful small museum.

Interesting museum mainly dealing with the textile industry in Nimes.

Small but interesting museum about Nîmes, principally denim

Well curated exhibits in the museum. The building itself is also interesting. You are given printed sheets with information on some of the exhibits. It would be nice if the exhibits had descriptions in English.

I visited the Musée du Vieux Nîmes on a quiet afternoon and was pleasantly surprised by how much history is packed into this charming space. Housed in a former 17th-century bishop's palace with elegant Baroque façades, the museum gives you a glimpse into everyday life in Nîmes from the end of the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The reconstructed interiors are beautifully done--especially if you enjoy period decor and old-world craftspersonship like I do. The textiles and furniture were particularly impressive, with a special focus on the city's rich history in the textile industry. The famous Nîmes shawls and, of course, the "denim" room were highlights. It's fascinating to learn that this fabric originated here, and to have the differences between "jean" and "denim" pointed out despite their now common conflation. I also enjoyed how a contemporary artist's work was curated to interweave (pun intended) with the old material on display (see pic). I spent about an hour wandering through, which was just the right amount of time, moving at a medium pace, to see everything. The €3 student entry fee is a bargain, considering how much there is to see. Unfortunately, the gardens were closed when I visited, so I can't speak to that part of the museum experience, but the house itself is lovely with its opulent interiors and carefully curated objects. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area! * * * J'ai visité le Musée du Vieux Nîmes un après-midi tranquille et j'ai été agréablement surpris par la richesse de l'histoire concentrée dans cet espace charmant. Installé dans l'ancien palais épiscopal du XVIIe siècle avec ses élégantes façades baroques, le musée offre un aperçu de la vie quotidienne à Nîmes, de la fin du Moyen Âge au XIXe siècle. Les intérieurs reconstitués sont magnifiquement réalisés--surtout si, comme moi, vous appréciez le décor d'époque et l'artisanat ancien. Les textiles et les meubles étaient particulièrement impressionnants, avec un accent particulier sur l'histoire riche de la ville dans l'industrie textile. Les célèbres châles de Nîmes et, bien sûr, la salle dédiée au "denim" étaient des moments forts. C'est fascinant d'apprendre que ce tissu est originaire d'ici, et de voir la distinction entre le "jean" et le "denim", souvent confondus aujourd'hui. J'ai aussi apprécié la façon dont l'œuvre d'un artiste contemporain était soigneusement intégrée avec les matériaux anciens exposés (voir photo). J'ai passé environ une heure à parcourir le musée, ce qui était suffisant, à un rythme modéré, pour tout voir. Le tarif étudiant de 3 € est une vraie aubaine, compte tenu de tout ce qu'il y a à découvrir. Malheureusement, les jardins étaient fermés lors de ma visite, donc je ne peux pas commenter cette partie de l'expérience, mais la maison elle-même est superbe, avec ses intérieurs opulents et ses objets soigneusement sélectionnés. Une visite incontournable si vous êtes dans la région !