Nîmes UNESCO Maison Carrée is it Really Square?
The residents of Nîmes (Nîmois) are incredibly proud of their Roman heritage. The Maison Carrée is renowned for being one of the most remarkably well-preserved Roman monuments, alongside Rome’s Pantheon. Renovated in 1992 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2023, it has gained even greater fame and visibility. But is Nîmes’ Maison Carrée a square? Let’s find out in this article by Gwen Simon.
Roman Nîmes
This iconic monument was built between the end of the 1st century BCE and the beginning of the 1st century CE. It was part of an ambitious architectural program launched by Emperor Augustus in Colonia Augusta Nemausus (the Latin name for Nîmes). Augustus’s reign lasted from 27 BCE to 14 CE. During that time, he played an essential role in the history of Nîmes and its architecture, transforming the provincial town into a model Roman city.
The Romans’ main goal was establishing a forum as the city’s central hub for religion, judiciary matters, and politics. Once constructed, the forum in Nîmes measured 145 meters long and 65 meters wide and housed key structures, including the curia, where senators sat in assembly—though this building no longer exists.
UNESCO Maison Carrée
Let’s fast-forward to the 21st century and focus on the Maison Carrée!
When you approach the monument—whether strolling up Victor Hugo Boulevard (locally called “Le VH” by young Nîmois) or entering from the western streets—the first thing you notice is its monumental, dazzling white exterior. Despite standing for over 2,000 years, it looks surprisingly new!
After a few moments of admiration, you might wonder: the Maison Carrée is anything but square! Whether or not you have “le compas dans l’œil” (a French phrase meaning “an eye for measurement”), the building neither resembles a house nor comes close to being a square!
The Maison Carrée stands on a 2,65 meters high, 15 meters wide, and 26.42 meters long podium. There you have it—not square! So, why is there such a misleading name for such an impressive monument? Was it originally designed as a cube? Or was it intended to appear square from certain angles on the forum? Not at all.
The temple has been called the Maison Carrée since the 16th century. In French, at that time, any geometric figure with four right angles was referred to as a “square” (carré). A “long square” (carré long) was the term for a rectangle, while a “perfect square” (carré parfait) described what we now call a square. Hence, despite its rectangular shape, the temple earned the name Maison Carrée.
Don’t you love fun facts like this? With this tidbit, you can “briller en société” (shine in social settings)!
Maison Carrée Materials
Keep reading to discover more fun facts … or perhaps tragic ones!
The Maison Carrée is made of stone sourced from various quarries around the city. Its 30 majestic Corinthian columns and the entablature were crafted using fine limestone from a quarry in Le Bois des Leins (the Leins woods). This woodland is a stunning place to hike and enjoy the landscape, and you might also stumble upon this Roman abandoned quarry! I’d recommend going with someone who knows their way around the area, though—say … me! Yes, I’m proud to say that I live close to this historical site where the limestone for the Maison Carrée was extracted. Better yet, the quarry is free to visit, and you can still see how the massive blocks were meticulously carved. It’s said that there are 17 Roman quarries scattered across the 8,000-hectare Bois des Leins.
Are you ready for an adventurous hike to uncover them?
The Maison is a Temple
For decades, religious practices in Nîmes revolved around Nemau (Nemausus), the sacred spring worshipped initially by the first inhabitants, the Volques Arécomiques, at the base of La Tour Magne. Thanks to Augustus’ ambition, the rural site was integrated into the imperial cult and embellished. No wonder it was named an Augusteum! The urban programme then included the construction of the new temple, which was built in honour of Rome and Emperor Augustus. The Romans worshipped their emperors as gods, so they anticipated their cult by commissioning temples during their lifetime.
Travel tip: You will appreciate a walk in the stunning Jardins de la Fontaine and a visit to Le Temple de Diane. I recommend going in the springtime to enjoy the blossoming of flowers and trees there).
Dedicated to Family
However, the Maison Carrée was later dedicated to Gaïus and Lucius, Princes of Youth. They were both Augustus’ grandchildren, born to Julia (Augustus’ daughter) and Agrippa, proconsul of La Narbonnaise. Sadly, they died young, both in their twenties and only a year and a half apart. Caïus and Lucius were potential Empire heirs, but their premature death changed history. The people from Nemausus had a special bond with these young men; their affection was reflected in the temple’s dedication.
An inscription was added to the temple above the entrance – on the entablature. The letters were made of gilded bronze, but they all disappeared, and only holes created by the mounting remained, leaving a mysterious dotted code etched on the temple. In 1758, a local historian named Jean-François Séguier unravelled the inscription’s mystery by studying the holes’ pattern. He was able to decipher the Latin message and reveal its meaning:
C. CAESARI. AVGVSTI. F. COS. L. CAESARI. COS. DESIGNATO PRINCIPIBUS IVVENTVTIS
To Gaius Caesar, son of Augustus, Consul; and Lucius Caesar, designated Consul, Princes of Youth
This gesture illustrates how deeply the people embraced and became accustomed to Roman culture. At the very beginning of this era, the public figures of Nîmes were grandsons or great-grandsons of the Princes Arécomiques, the original inhabitants who had lived in the region for over 300 years. Now, they proudly wore togas and had Roman names, just like any citizen of Rome!
The Maison Carrée is a testament to Roman architecture’s elegance, harmonious proportions and exceptional preservation. No wonder Thomas Jefferson used the Maison Carrée as inspiration for the Virginia State Capitol in the United States! Indeed, the Maison Carrée is a Roman masterpiece that rivals the grandeur of the Pantheon in Rome and is undeniably worth a visit.
Guest Author:
Gwen Simon is a passionate French native who organizes private French immersion stays at her home between Nîmes and Uzès. After teaching English for 20 years, she decided it was time for a change when her family returned after three years of ex-pat living in Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic. They settled in a charming 18th-century former silk farm in a picturesque village, and they warmly welcome international guests for French immersion experiences in the region.
Miss Gwen is deeply connected to her own culture. She loves French cuisine, cinema, drama, and history, and she also enjoys learning about her guests’ lives and cultures—a passion shared by her husband and 12-year-old son.
Her immersion program includes French cultural and linguistic workshops and several excursions in her beautiful region, from the Camargue to the vibrant open market in Uzès, the Pont du Gard and a staple, a wine-tasting session!
Discover more about Miss Gwen’s French immersion experiences on her website.
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