Is the Square house in Nîmes actually square ?

The Nîmois are extremely proud of their Roman heritage. The Maison Carrée is renowned for being one of the most remarkably well-preserved Roman monuments, alongside the Pantheon in Rome. Renovated in 1992 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2023, it has since gained even greater fame and visibility.

This iconic monument was built between the end of the 1st century BCE and the beginning of the 1st century CE. It was part of an ambitious architectural program in Colonia Augusta Nemausus (the Latin name for Nîmes) launched by Emperor Augustus himself. Augustus’s reign lasted from 27 BCE to 14 CE and during that time, he played an essential role in the history of Nîmes but also in its architecture, transforming the provincial town into a model Roman city.

The main goal was to establish a forum that would become the city’s central hub for religion, judiciary matters, and politics. The forum, measuring 145 meters long and 65 meters wide, housed key structures, including the curia, where senators sat in assembly—though this building no longer exists.

Let’s fast-forward to the 21st century and focus on the Maison Carrée!

When you approach the monument—whether strolling up Victor Hugo Boulevard (locally called "Le VH" by young Nîmois) or entering from the western streets—the first thing you notice is its monumental, dazzling white exterior. Despite standing for over 2,000 years, it looks surprisingly new!

After a few moments of admiration, you might wonder: the Maison Carrée is anything but square! Whether or not you have "le compas dans l’œil" (a French phrase meaning "an eye for measurement"), the building neither resembles a house nor comes close to being a square !

The Maison Carrée stands on a 2,65 meters high podium and is actually 15 meters wide and 26.42 meters long. There you have it—not square! So, why the misleading name for such an impressive monument? Was it originally designed as a cube? Or intended to appear square from certain angles on the forum? Not at all.

The temple has been called the Maison Carrée since the 16th century. In French, at that time, any geometric figure with four right angles was referred to as a "square" (carré). A "long square" (carré long) was the term for a rectangle, while a "perfect square" (carré parfait) described what we now simply call a square. Hence, despite its rectangular shape, the temple earned the name Maison Carrée.

Don’t you just love fun facts like this? With this tidbit, you can "briller en société" (shine in social settings)!

Well, keep reading to discover more fun facts … or perhaps tragic ones!

Le Bois des Leins

The Maison Carrée is made of stone sourced from various quarries around the city. Its 30 majestic Corinthian columns and the entablature were crafted using fine limestone from a quarry in Le Bois des Leins (the Leins woods). Not only is this woodland a stunning place to hike and enjoy the landscape, but you might also stumble upon this very Roman abandoned quarry! I’d recommend going with someone who knows their way around the area, though—say … me! Yes, I’m proud to say that I live very close to this historical site where the limestone for the Maison Carrée was extracted. Better yet, the quarry is free to visit, and you can still see how the massive blocks were meticulously carved. In fact, it’s said that there are 17 Roman quarries scattered across the 8,000-hectare Bois des Leins.

Are you ready for an adventurous hike to uncover them?

The « house » is in fact a temple

For decades, religious practices in Nîmes had revolved around Nemau (Nemausus), the sacred spring originally worshipped by the first inhabitants, the Volques Arécomiques, at the base of La Tour Magne. The rural site was integrated into the imperial cult embellished thanks to Augustus’ ambition. No wonder, this was named an Augusteum ! (You will appreciate a walk in the stunning Jardins de la Fontaine and a visit to Le temple de Diane. I recommend going in spring for it is the best season to enjoy the blossoming of flowers and trees there). Then, the urban programme included the construction of the new temple which was built in honour of Rome and Emperor Augustus too. The romans worshipped their emperors as gods and which is why they anticipated their own cult by commissioning temples during their lifetime.

However, the Maison Carrée was later dedicated to Gaïus and Lucius, Princes of Youth. They were both Augustus’grandchildren, born to Julia (Augustus’ daughter) and Agrippa, proconsul of La Narbonnaise at the time. Sadly, they died young, both in their twenties and only a year and a half apart. Caïus and Lucius were potential heirs to the Empire but their premature death changed history. The people from Nemausus had a special bond with these young men and their affection was reflected in the temple’s dedication.

An inscription was added to the temple above the entrance - on the entablature. The letters were made of gilded bronze but they all disappeared and only holes created by the mounting remained leaving a mysterious dotted code etched on the temple. In 1758, a local historian named Jean-François Séguier unraveled the mystery of the inscription by studying the pattern of the holes. He was able to decipher the Latin message and reveal its meaning :

C. CAESARI. AVGVSTI. F. COS. L. CAESARI. COS. DESIGNATO PRINCIPIBUS IVVENTVTIS

To Gaius Caesar, son of Augustus, Consul; and to Lucius Caesar, designated Consul, Princes of Youth

This gesture illustrates how deeply the people had embraced and become accustomed to Roman culture. One has to bear in mind that at the very beginning of this era, the public figures of Nîmes were merely grandsons or great grandsons of the Princes Arécomiques, the original inhabitants who had lived in the region for over 300 years. Now, they proudly wore togas and had Roman names just like any citizen of Rome !

Roman Influencers

The Maison Carrée stands as a testament to the elegance of Roman architecture, with its harmonious proportions and exceptional preservation. No wonder Thomas Jefferson used the Square house as the inspiration for the Virginia State Capitol in the United States ! Truly, the Maison Carrée is a Roman masterpiece that rivals the grandeur of the Pantheon in Rome and is undeniably worth a visit.