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Origin and history

The Maison Carrée is a hexastyle Roman temple built between 10 BC and 4 BC in Nîmes, during the reign of Augustus. Dedicated to Caius and Lucius Caesar, grandsons and heirs of Augustus, it symbolizes imperial architecture in Gaul Narbonnaise. Its pseudo-peripheral plan and Corinthian order are inspired by Roman models, such as the Temple of Apollo in Rome, while integrating local peculiarities, such as sculpted capitals of olive leaves.

Over the centuries, the temple has had various functions: consular house in the Middle Ages, church, stable, and museum from 1824. Despite these transformations, it remains the best preserved Roman temple in the world. Ranked a Historic Monument in 1840, it was restored on several occasions, notably in the 19th century and between 2006 and 2010, to preserve its exterior decoration and structure.

The Maison Carrée was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in September 2023, recognizing its universal value as an exceptional witness to Roman architecture and imperial worship. Today, it is home to a historical mediation space, accessible with devices adapted to audiences with sensory disabilities.

Its name, attested since the sixteenth century, comes from the ancient use of the term "square" to refer to geometrical figures with right angles, although the building is rectangular. The original dedication, reconstructed in 1758 by Jean-François Séguier from the sealing holes, confirms his link with the Auguste heirs and his precise dating.

The temple is part of a larger monumental ensemble, including the forum and curia of Nîmes. Its architecture, combining Greek, Roman and Etruscan influences, illustrates the diffusion of imperial models in the provinces. Archaeological excavations revealed remains of the surrounding portals, confirming its central role in ancient public life.

Today managed by the city of Nîmes in collaboration with experts, Maison Carrée offers an immersive experience, including models, multimedia media and historians' testimonies. Its interior, completely redesigned, highlights its history and architectural context, while respecting the constraints of heritage conservation.

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