When we visited Nîmes, we had planned to see la maison carée, la tour magne, and les arènes de Nîmes. We began at La Maison Carée, which is one of the best preserved Roman temples anywhere.
It was built c. 16 BC. The temple owes its preservation to the fact that it was rededicated as a Christian church in the fourth century, saving it from the widespread destruction of temples that followed the adoption of Christianity as Rome's official state religion. It subsequently became a meeting hall for the city's consuls, a canon's house, a stable for government-owned horses during the French Revolution and a storehouse for the city archives. It became a museum after 1823. Its French name derives from the archaic term carré long, literally meaning a "long square", or oblong - a reference to the building's shape.
Inside is a very strange 3D movie recounting the history of Nîmes.
On the same plaza as la Maison Carrée is Le Carrée d'Art. Lillian saw it and decided we needed to go inside.
On the same plaza as la Maison Carrée is Le Carrée d'Art. Lillian saw it and decided we needed to go inside.
The Carré d'art at Nîmes in southern France houses a museum of contemporary art and the city's library. Constructed of glass, concrete and steel, it faces the Maison Carrée. In 1984, twelve architects, including Frank Gehry, Jean Nouvel and César Pelli were invited to submit proposals for the museum. A design by the British architect Norman Foster was selected, and the building was opened in May 1993. The current exhibit is modern works of art chosen by the architect of the building, Norman Foster.
We did a quick run through and I was glad we did. The building also holds the city's library, so we took a quick run through the children's section, too. I thought it was a great idea to have the art museum and the library together in the same building.
We found a bakery and bought a picnic to take to Jardins de la Fountaine. The garden was built in 1745. It is a large park with an enormous, elaborate fountain and many pathways that wind their ways up a wooded hill.
We walked up the enormous hill on switchback paths and reached the Tour Magne.
The Tour Magne, or the Great Tower, is the only remnant of the ancient Augustan fortifications. Standing at the highest point of the city, Mont Cavalier, it overlooks the entire plain and is a focal point for all means of communication. The tower was originally a dry-stone oval tower, with a maximum height of 18m and already part of a rampart.
A structure that was both prestigious and strategic, it represented sanctuary and protected the oppidum. By doubling its height and incorporating it into the town walls, Augustus demonstrated the new power of the colony of Nîmes over the “City” (in the territorial sense) of the Volcae. When the town’s population abandoned the higher ground, the Tour Magne nevertheless continued to play a military role. It was used to defend against the English during the Hundred Years’ War.
A structure that was both prestigious and strategic, it represented sanctuary and protected the oppidum. By doubling its height and incorporating it into the town walls, Augustus demonstrated the new power of the colony of Nîmes over the “City” (in the territorial sense) of the Volcae. When the town’s population abandoned the higher ground, the Tour Magne nevertheless continued to play a military role. It was used to defend against the English during the Hundred Years’ War.
Views from the top of the tower
Lucky souvenir coin
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