Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The building at 21 rue des Orangers in Nîmes dates from the 3rd quarter of the 18th century, when the area was home mainly to dyers. These artisans exploited the waters of the Agau Canal for their industrial activity. In 1770, the street was enlarged, marking an urban transformation that probably influenced the construction or renovation of the building. The facade is distinguished by its wrought iron balconies, decorated with complex motifs and monograms.

Balconies, superimposed at the corner of the streets of Orangers and Xavier-Sigalon, have been protected since 1964. Their decor includes volutes, medallions (including one bearing the CA monogram and date 1771), and stylized ballot boxes. These details reflect local craftsmanship and taste for ornamentation under the Old Regime. The wrought iron consoles support the slabs, demonstrating remarkable technical mastery.

The owner of the building was certified in 1671, although the major changes date from the next century. The neighbourhood, formerly dedicated to textile handicrafts, bears witness to the pre-industrial economy of the Netherlands. The inscription of the Historic Monuments in 1964 highlights the heritage value of these balconies, unique in their asymmetrical design and decorative richness.

Today, the building remains an emblematic example of 18th-century civil architecture in Nîmes. Its location, near the canal, recalls the historical link between the city, water and crafts. The accuracy of its location is estimated to be fair (note 5/10), based on available data.

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