Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Rivet hotel, built in 1786 for the merchant David Rivet, is attributed to the architect Jean-Arnaud Raymond, known for his neo-classical achievements. This building, the only regional testimony of its work, is distinguished by its monumental facades and its U-shaped plan, typical of the palladian style. It incorporates an atrium and zenithal lighting, characteristic of the scholarly architecture of the era.

In the 19th century, the building underwent major changes to house the Gard prefecture. The architect Durand adds a covered gallery and extensions, adapting space to administrative needs. The hotel then became a convent, then a primary school, before welcoming in 1985 the Higher School of Fine Arts of Nîmes, originally founded as a "design school" in 1820.

Ranked as a historic monument in 2005 (facades, roofs, ground floor and stairwells), the Rivet Hotel retains remarkable elements such as a wrought iron ramp staircase inspired by the École militaire de Paris. Its entrance ground, the work of Bernard Pagès, and its southern courtyard highlight its dual heritage: architectural heritage and contemporary creation.

The legal protections distinguish the parts classified (original elements of Raymond) and inscribed (the 19th century additions, including the Durand Gallery). Owned by the commune, the building illustrates the evolution of urban uses, moving from the private domain (bourgeois residence) to public functions (prefecture, teaching).

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