the "arrondissement" of nîmes is the most eastern of the "arrondissements" of the gard department. it is bordered to the north by the ardèche department, to the northeast by the vaucluse department, to the east by the bouches-du-rhône department, to the south by the mediterranean sea, to the southwest by the hérault department and to the west by the le vigan and the alès "arrondissements".