Place d’Assas

You are on the place d’Assas, on the western edge of the Écusson, on boulevard Victor-Hugo. This square was completely redesigned in 1989 by the artist Martial Raysse, at the request of Mayor Jean Bousquet, who wanted to combine past and modernity. Raysse placed two monumental fountains here with two large figures facing each other. On one side, Nemausa, who evokes the spring at the origin of Nîmes. On the other, Nemausus, the masculine strength of the city. They are the legendary founders of the city, whose name comes precisely from Nemausus. Between them, a stream of water runs across the square from end to end. The Gard tourist office describes it as the square of the symbols of Nîmes. Walk along the water from one head to the other, and look out for the details scattered across the square. Two years earlier, the same artist had created the crocodile fountain on the place du Marché.

History

In the 1980s, Mayor Jean Bousquet commissioned many public works to combine past and modernism. After the place du Marché in 1987, Martial Raysse completely redesigned the place d’Assas in 1989.

Art and architecture

The design is based on two monumental fountains and two figures facing each other: Nemausa, the spring, origin of Nîmes, and Nemausus, the masculine strength of the city. A stream of water crosses the space from one side to the other and links the two figures. Martial Raysse, painter and sculptor, is one of the artists of New Realism; in Nîmes, he chose to draw on the city’s founding myths.

Anecdotes

Tourisme Gard presents it as the square of the symbols of Nîmes. The very name of the city, Nemausus in antiquity, refers to the figure honoured here. In 1992, the nearby Carré d’Art, together with the Jeu de Paume, hosted an exhibition devoted to Raysse.

What to look for

Stand at one end to take in the perspective, with the water running towards the other figure. Look at the two faces answering each other. Then walk slowly across the square and look for the Nîmes symbols scattered through the design.

Practical

The square has free access all year round, on boulevard Victor-Hugo. The Carré d’Art is about 200 metres away and the Maison Carrée about 300 metres away, according to Tourisme Gard. Take care near the pools with children.

Nearby

Carry on to the Carré d’Art, the Maison Carrée and the place de l’Horloge, all close by. To see Raysse’s other work in Nîmes, head to the crocodile fountain on the place du Marché.

Test yourself

Sources

• Tourisme Gard: La Place d’Assas
• Wikipedia: Martial Raysse

Information checked on 6 October 2026.