Maison Carrée

The Maison Carrée in Nîmes is one of the best-preserved Roman temples anywhere, and it ranks among the finest surviving buildings of the ancient world. It stands on the square that bears its name, opposite the Carré d'Art, in what was the forum of the Roman colony of Nemausus. The temple was built around the end of the first century BC, in the reign of Augustus, and it was dedicated to Gaius and Lucius Caesar, the emperor's grandsons and adopted heirs, both of whom died young. The name Maison Carrée, meaning the square house, is a misnomer, since the building is in fact a rectangle, but the name has stuck for centuries.

The design is in the Corinthian order, with a tall podium, a deep porch of six columns across the front and fine carved capitals and frieze, and its proportions are harmonious. The temple is thought to have been inspired by Roman buildings of the Augustan age, and it stands on a podium reached by steps. Its excellent condition owes much to the fact that it was never abandoned. From the eleventh century it was reused in many ways, as a meeting place for the consuls of the town, then as a stable, a private house and a church, and later as the archives of the department, before it was turned into the first museum of Nîmes in 1823. This continuous use saved it from the fate of other ancient buildings, which were quarried for stone.

The temple has inspired architects. Thomas Jefferson saw it on a visit to Nîmes in 1787 and was so impressed that he used it as the model for the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, which helped to launch the classical style in American public architecture. In 2023, UNESCO inscribed the Maison Carrée on the World Heritage list.

Inside, the single room, the cella, shows a 3D film about the history of the building and the city, which gives context to the architecture. The site is accessible for visitors with reduced mobility, and guide dogs are allowed. Opening hours change with the season, with long days in July and August and shorter hours in winter, and there is a break at midday on some days, so check before you go.

The temple suits anyone interested in Roman architecture, architecture students and visitors on a short trip to Nîmes, since it takes less than an hour. Outside it, the square is a place to sit and look at the facade, with the Carré d'Art opposite. The Arènes de Nîmes, the Musée de la Romanité, the Jardin de la Fontaine and the Tour Magne are within walking distance, and the Pont du Gard is a short drive away.