Here you are on boulevard Victor-Hugo, in front of the Lycée Alphonse-Daudet, a secondary school. The building has not always been a school. The site first housed a hospice, in the sixteenth century. In 1807, Napoleon authorised the construction of the neoclassical façade you see before you, designed by the architect Charles Durand for the hospital. Notice the large arches on the ground floor: they house shops. Then look up at the frieze, which has 120 medical and allegorical scenes, a reminder of the building’s hospital past. The boys’ school opened in 1883. Between 1887 and 1889, a most unusual clock tower was added: its dial shows the signs of the zodiac and miniature replicas of the Roman monuments of Nîmes. In 1966, the school took the name of the writer Alphonse Daudet. It was listed as a historic monument in 2007. The school belongs to a long tradition of education in Nîmes, going back to the university founded by Francis I in 1539 and the Jesuit colleges. Today, around 2,000 pupils study here.
History
In the sixteenth century, the site housed a hospice. In 1807, Napoleon authorised the construction of a neoclassical façade for the hospital, designed by Charles Durand. The building became a boys’ secondary school in 1883.
The school is part of a long line of education in Nîmes: the University of Nîmes founded by Francis I in 1539, then the Jesuit colleges. It took the name of Alphonse Daudet in 1966 and was listed as a historic monument in 2007.
Art and architecture
Charles Durand’s façade lines up large arches on the ground floor, occupied by shops. Above runs a frieze of 120 medical and allegorical scenes, recalling the building’s original hospital role.
The clock tower, added between 1887 and 1889, is the most surprising feature: the dial combines the signs of the zodiac with miniature replicas of the Roman monuments of Nîmes.
Anecdotes
The same building once cared for the sick and later taught pupils: the hospital’s medical frieze now adorns the façade of a school. The school also offers preparatory classes for the top universities, in science and in the humanities.
What to look for
From the pavement, look in turn at the arches and their shops, the frieze of 120 scenes, then the clock tower with its signs of the zodiac and its miniature monuments.
Practical
The school is at 3 boulevard Victor-Hugo, between the Maison Carrée and the Arena. It is a working school: the visit is from the outside.
Nearby
Walking up boulevard Victor-Hugo, you reach the Maison Carrée and the Carré d’Art. In the other direction, the boulevard leads to the Arena.
On site, look for: Look on the clock tower for the signs of the zodiac and the little replicas of the Roman monuments.
Test yourself
What was the site’s first purpose?
- A barracks
- A hospice (answer)
- A market
Since when has it borne the name of Alphonse Daudet?
- 1807
- 1883
- 1966 (answer)
What does the tower clock show?
- The phases of the Moon
- The signs of the zodiac (answer)
- The tides
Sources
Information checked on 6 October 2026.