Maison Carrée is a luminous Roman temple set on a broad square in the center of Nîmes and its clean lines and tall Corinthian columns give it a sense of calm precision that has survived almost untouched since the first century. The façade rises on a high podium so the steps lead you upward toward a portico that feels both elegant and inviting and the proportions create a harmony that many later architects admired. The cella behind the columns is a simple enclosed space that contrasts with the richly carved exterior and this balance highlights the clarity of classical design. One engaging activity here is to walk slowly around the base of the temple because the changing angle of the light reveals different textures in the stone and gives you a close view of the sculpted capitals without breaking the quiet atmosphere of the square. Maison Carrée stands as a rare intact example of Roman architecture woven naturally into the daily life of Nîmes.
Part of: France