Here you are on avenue Jean-Jaurès, which the people of Nîmes often call les allées Jaurès. It is the longest avenue in the city: it stretches for more than one and a half kilometres, and is about 60 metres wide. In the south, it starts from the Forum-Camargue buildings; in the north, it ends at the gates of the Jardins de la Fontaine. Look straight ahead to the north: the Tour Magne comes into view, right in line, at the top of the hill. For a long time, the central reservation was used mainly for parking. From 2009 to 2013, the avenue was completely restructured, with a new urban design by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. The central reservation is organised in three sequences: extending the Jardins de la Fontaine, hosting events, and offering spaces for relaxation and leisure. The first section was inaugurated in October 2010 and the whole avenue on 20 April 2013, at a total cost of 36 million euros. Walk for a while down the middle of the avenue, then turn back towards the gardens: the view towards the Tour Magne is one of the finest in Nîmes.
History
Avenue Jean-Jaurès, or les allées Jaurès, is the longest avenue in Nîmes. It links the Forum-Camargue district, in the south, to the gates of the Jardins de la Fontaine, in the north.
From 2009 to 2013, its roadway was completely restructured. The first section was inaugurated in October 2010 and the entire length on 20 April 2013, at a cost of 36 million euros.
Art and architecture
The urban design is by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. The former parking on the central reservation gave way to three complementary sequences: an extension of the Jardins de la Fontaine, a space for events, and areas for relaxation and leisure.
Anecdotes
The avenue is designed as a vista: from the south, the eye runs all the way to the Jardins de la Fontaine and the Tour Magne, on the hill. From the gardens, conversely, you can take in the whole length of the avenue.
What to look for
Walk up the avenue towards the north to watch the Tour Magne grow larger. Notice how the atmosphere of the central reservation changes from one sequence to the next.
Practical
The avenue is an open public space, best explored on foot. Allow about twenty minutes to walk a good part of it up to the Jardins de la Fontaine.
Nearby
To the north, the Jardins de la Fontaine, the Temple of Diana and the Tour Magne. The Quais de la Fontaine head east from the entrance to the gardens.
On site, look for: Stand in the middle of the central reservation and spot the Tour Magne at the end of the view.
Test yourself
Which architect designed the redevelopment?
- Jean Nouvel
- Jean-Michel Wilmotte (answer)
- Norman Foster
What does the avenue lead to in the north?
- The Arena
- The Jardins de la Fontaine (answer)
- The station
Roughly how wide is it?
- 15 metres
- 200 metres
- 60 metres (answer)
Sources
Information checked on 6 October 2026.