Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

This building, mentioned as early as 1596, was the subject of major concerns in 1767 regarding its strength. The architect Chirol, who was asked to assess the risks, found that the woodpan of the upper floors threatened to ruin. The restoration work, carried out between 1767 and 1769, allowed the structure to stabilize while modernizing its appearance. The original sharp angle was replaced by a cut edge, an architectural innovation for the time, which became the distinctive element of the building.

The cut panel, located on the first floor, incorporates a balcony window holder called 'ondé' (inflected with curved returns), a stylistic rarity. This balcony consists of three panels: an elongated centre framed by two rounded side panels, separated by short pilasters. The slab, equipped with a larme, rests on two finely carved stone consoles, decorated with floral motifs (marguerites), garlands and canals. These artistic details reflect the influence of 18th century decorative currents.

In 1964, the wrought iron balcony on the first floor was classified as Historic Monument by order of February 3, recognizing its exceptional heritage value. This classification specifically concerns the element of the cut pan (cadastre I 38), highlighting its unique character in the Nîmes architectural landscape. The official address of the monument, 4 map of the Aspic, confirms its anchoring in the historic center of Nîmes, a city marked by a rich heritage from antiquity to modern times.

The archives mention tensions between owners and local authorities in 1767 regarding the costs and urgency of repairs. Chirol's intervention, although technical, is part of a broader context of urban renewal in Nîmes, where medieval buildings were gradually adapted to the aesthetic and safety standards of the Enlightenment. The choice of a 'wave' balcony illustrates this transition between tradition and innovation.

Today, the house bears witness to this pivotal period when Nîmes, a city with a prestigious Roman past, incorporated Baroque and neoclassical elements into its urban fabric. The cut strip, with its delicate sculptures, offers a striking contrast with the rigor of the surrounding facades, often more austere. This monument thus embodies the duality between ancient heritage and modern aspirations, characteristic of Occitanie in the 18th century.

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