Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle

Here you are on the Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle, between the railway station and the Arena, at the end of avenue Feuchères. This space has a long history. In the sixteenth century, the consul Jacques d’Albenas created a square here for artillery drills and official receptions. In 1841, the town council voted to embellish avenue Feuchères and the esplanade. The work was completed in 1851 with the inauguration of James Pradier’s monumental fountain, which you can see in the centre. Between 1968 and 1971, an underground car park was dug beneath your feet. Then the city redeveloped the whole area of the Arena, the Esplanade and Feuchères, and the esplanade reopened on 7 April 2012, redesigned by the landscape architect Alain Marguerit. It covers about 3 hectares, with Mediterranean plants, pergolas, benches and a tourist office kiosk. Spot the channel, 1.40 metres wide, that runs towards the station. Then turn around: to the west, the Arena; to the north, the law courts and their colonnade; to the east, the church of Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity.

History

In the sixteenth century, the consul Jacques d’Albenas laid out this space for artillery drills and official receptions. In 1841, the town council approved the embellishment of avenue Feuchères and the esplanade.

The work ended in 1851 with the inauguration of James Pradier’s monumental fountain. An underground car park was built between 1968 and 1971. Its access ramp was removed in 2010, as part of the Arena, Esplanade, Feuchères redevelopment project, and the square reopened on 7 April 2012.

Art and architecture

The present design is the work of the landscape architect Alain Marguerit. Over about 3 hectares, it combines Mediterranean vegetation, pergolas, benches, a tourist office kiosk and a channel 1.40 metres wide that continues towards the station.

In the centre, the Pradier fountain, in white marble, remains the highlight of the composition.

Anecdotes

The esplanade bears the name of Charles de Gaulle (1890 to 1970), soldier, Resistance leader, statesman and writer. It links the station, via avenue Feuchères, with the historic centre.

What to look for

Stand near the fountain and look all around: the Arena to the west, the colonnade of the law courts to the north, the church of Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity to the east. Then follow the channel towards avenue Feuchères.

Practical

The esplanade is a few minutes’ walk from Nîmes-Centre station along avenue Feuchères. It is an open public space, with benches and shade under the pergolas.

Nearby

The Pradier fountain, the law courts and the Arena are right next door. Avenue Feuchères leads to the station.

Test yourself

Sources

• Wikipedia: Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle (Nîmes)
• OpenStreetMap (Nominatim)

Information checked on 6 October 2026.