September.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Photograph: Stéphane Ramillon

An aluminium, helicoidal central staircase leads up towards the centrepiece of the museum, a mosaic depicting Pentheus (a king of Thebes) being murdered by his mother, which was unearthed during building works in 2006. In near-perfect condition, it was subsequently reconstructed, tile by tile, on the museum’s first floor. A frieze of headless eagles, marble busts, limestone nymphs and a sixth-century sarcophagus are among the other 5,000 pieces on display, many coming from Nîmes’ now-closed archaeology museum.

Portzamparc wanted to create a democratic space, so the main building has a central thoroughfare heading into tiered gardens where everyone is welcome to wander, without paying to enter the museum. The hallway follows the line of the city’s Augustan ramparts, a section of which is leftuncovered in the gardens.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Aerial view of the new museum and Nîmes

The museum has a huge range of hi-tech gadgetry: immersive projections, touchscreens, holograms, sound showers and interactive displays. It also has an auditorium, document rooms, cafe, giftshop, restaurant and huge roof terrace, from where visitors can see the nine hills of Nîmes and many of the city’s Roman buildings. As well as the amphitheatre, notable sights include the Maison Carrée, Tour Magne, Temple of Diana and Roman gates.

• Open daily (except Tuesday) 10am-7pm (8pm July and August, 6pm November to end of March). Adults €8, children 7-17 €3, under 7s free, family ticket (2+2) €19, museedelaromanite.fr