Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The house located at the corner of the rue des Lombards and the Place aux Herbes in Nîmes is a building built in one place, the first mention of which dates back to 1671. At that time, the facade was preceded by a series of aprons or awnings of shops, installed on the Fruitery market. These temporary structures, typical of urban commercial spaces, were demolished in 1746 to comply with the city's alignment and road orders. This demolition probably marked the beginning of the renovation of the façade and the construction of the existing balconies, dating back to the second half of the eighteenth century.

The wrought iron balconies on the first floor, inscribed in the Historical Monuments in 1963, illustrate the exceptional craftsmanship of the time. The small balcony on the left is distinguished by a rectangular central panel flanked by two rounded panels, decorated with asymmetrical volutes assembled in a common pattern. The large, more complex balcony on the right has three panels: a symmetrical centre framed by volute pilasters, and two laterals with interlaced curves. The decorative motifs, such as florons, hearts, clovers and horns of abundance, reflect the ornamental rock repertoire then in vogue, mixing stylized plants and sophisticated geometries.

The inscription of the balconies in 1963 underscores their heritage value, both for their artistic quality and for their testimony to the urban transformations of Nîmes in the Enlightenment. Their preservation offers an overview of the forge techniques and aesthetic tastes of local elites, in a city marked by its commercial dynamism and Roman heritage. The precision of the details, such as the four-leaf buds or the diamond grids, attests to a craftsmanship that is now protected.

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