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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The house in Nîmes, in the Gard department, is a building whose history dates back to at least the fifteenth century. The owner was mentioned in 1480, and the building was completely rebuilt in 1544. These early traces bear witness to a continuous occupation and importance in the urban fabric of Nîmes, long before the major transformations which marked it in the 18th century.

The most significant period for the present aspect of the house corresponds to the third quarter of the eighteenth century, notably in 1767, date engraved on the wrought iron balcony of the first floor. This year probably marks the construction of the cut panel, a distinctive architectural element. This cut panel, open with specific openings on each level (shop entrance on the ground floor, balcony door on the first floor, half-balcony window on the second floor), illustrates the techniques and decorative style of the era. The large curved balcony, with its two symmetrical inflections and rounded returns, is a remarkable example of ironwork.

The balcony's ironwork consists of three panels, including the centre and two rounded side panels, separated by pilasters. The patterns include intertwined double Cs for side panels, while the centre panel has a symmetrical monogram medallion on top of a rectangular cartridge bearing the date of 1767. These decorative elements, supported by large volutes, sometimes reworked, reflect the know-how of local artisans and the taste for ornamentation characteristic of the eighteenth century. The framework, sober, is limited to a current hand, highlighting the richness of the motifs.

The house was partially protected under the Historic Monuments by an order of 28 April 1964, specifically concerning the wrought iron balcony on the first floor on the cut panel. This protection underscores the heritage value of this architectural element, a witness to the stylistic and technical developments of the modern period. The exact address, 13 rue de la Madeleine à Nîmes, allows to situate this monument precisely in the historic centre of the city, although GPS coordinates suggest an approximate location near, at 2 rue de l'Aspic.

The historical context of Nîmes in the 18th century was marked by relative economic prosperity, particularly in relation to trade and crafts. Bourgeois houses, like this one, reflect this ease through neat decorative elements and quality materials. The wrought iron balcony, in particular, symbolizes both a practical function (access and approval) and a social marker, displaying the status of the owner. These buildings contribute to the beautification of the city, in a period when civil architecture takes on an increasing place alongside the emblematic ancient monuments of Nîmes.

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