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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The buildings 1A and 1bis avenue Jean-Jaurès and 7bis rue Saint-Dominique in Nîmes house major archaeological remains, witness to two distinct periods: Gallo-Roman Antiquity and the 18th century. These modern buildings, built in the 18th century, cover the remains of a Roman public building of the 1st century BC, probably a schola linked to the Augusteum, an imperial sanctuary. The first discoveries date back to 1955-1956, during roadwork, revealing fragments of mosaics, cornices and marble columns. These clues suggest a monumental building, possibly associated with a balneum (thermal) or a water cult.

In 1983-84, during the renovation of the AGF building, the site was confirmed as important. They exhumed mosaics decorated with friezes and historical motifs, a marble masculine head, as well as a wooden statuette representing a love holding a goose. A fragmentary inscription mentioning "BALNE" reinforces the hypothesis of a connection with the waters, although the complete plan of the ancient building remains unknown. The site, which was listed as historical monuments in 2004, illustrates the superposition of the eras, where classical buildings preserve an exceptional Roman heritage.

The location, near the Quai de la Fontaine, places these remains in a historical district of Nîmes, formerly the heart of the Roman colonia of Nemaususus. The whole, private property, fully protects its archaeological basement as well as the facades and roofs of 18th century buildings. These discoveries provide valuable insight into ancient urban planning and the cultural practices of Roman Gaul, while at the same time testifying to the adaptation of urban spaces throughout the centuries.

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