Maison carrée Archaeological Site

Address: Maison carrée, Place de la Maison Carrée, 30000 Nîmes, Occitania, France

Hours: Public exterior accessible year-round

Admission: Free to view exterior; interior/exhibitions may charge admission

Maison Carrée is a remarkably well-preserved Roman temple located in Nîmes in southern France, dating to the early 1st century AD. It was dedicated to members of the imperial family and is a prime example of Vitruvian Roman temple architecture.

The building’s classical façade and proportions are often highlighted; the temple presents a deep portico and a richly detailed entablature that illustrate Roman stone construction and ornamental carving. As a compact urban monument it is frequently visited for its state of preservation and proximity to other Roman remains in Nîmes.

Constructed during the early Roman imperial period, the temple was dedicated to imperial figures and remained visible through successive urban layers; it has undergone restorations and adaptive reuses over centuries, including later conversion to other functions that aided its preservation.

The temple stands on a raised platform in the historic centre of Nîmes, in the Occitania region of southern France, within walking distance of the city’s other Roman monuments such as the amphitheatre and the Tour Magne.

• Architectural note: The temple features a hexastyle portico with six Corinthian columns on its façade and is among the most complete Roman temples to survive in Europe.

Maison Carrée sits in the historic centre of Nîmes. From Gare de Nîmes (the main train station) it is an easy walk of roughly 15-20 minutes (about 1-1.5 km) into the pedestrian core; follow signs toward the Roman quarter and the city centre. The temple is also within a short walk of the central square/market area, so it’s readily reached on foot from most central Nîmes stops; driving and short-term parking are available on streets around the centre.

• Visit early morning or late afternoon - the soft light highlights the temple's classical façades and there are far fewer coach groups than at midday.
• Approach and photograph Maison Carrée from the square facing the Carré d'Art (the modern glass museum opposite) for the strongest compositional contrast between ancient and modern architecture.
• Combine your stop with the nearby Arena (Roman amphitheatre) and the Musée de la Romanité to see complementary Roman remains in one short walk and avoid multiple trips across town.