Law Courts

Here you are in front of the Nîmes law courts, the Palais de justice, whose colonnade overlooks the Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle, very close to the Arena. If this façade looks familiar, that is intentional: it is inspired by the Maison Carrée, the Roman temple in the city centre. The building was constructed between 1836 and 1848 by Gaston Bourdon, architect of the Gard department. The main structure was finished in 1846 and the interiors in 1848. The style is neoclassical. Look at the columns: they are Corinthian and fluted, and the sculptures are by Paul Colin. Inside, the building retains coffered ceilings, stucco work and wood panelling, as well as paintings by Numa Boucoiran, such as "Protective Justice" and "Repressive Justice". The project cost far more than planned: the initial budget was 246,000 francs, the final expenditure 737,000 francs, about three times as much. The law courts have been a listed historic monument since 16 August 1993. Compare the colonnade with that of the Maison Carrée if you have already seen it.

History

The law courts were built between 1836 and 1848 to plans by Gaston Bourdon, architect of the Gard department. The building was completed in 1846 and the interior fittings in 1848.

Planned to cost 246,000 francs, it finally cost 737,000. It was listed as a historic monument on 16 August 1993.

Art and architecture

The neoclassical façade, inspired by the Maison Carrée, presents a powerful colonnade facing the esplanade. The fluted Corinthian columns show a Greek influence. The sculptures are by Paul Colin.

Inside, the coffered ceilings, stucco work and wood panelling are remarkable. In the third courtroom, the painter Numa Boucoiran created "Protective Justice" and "Repressive Justice".

Anecdotes

The budget overrun was considerable: the final expenditure reached nearly three times the original estimate.

What to look for

From the esplanade, look at the colonnade, the Corinthian capitals and the fluting of the columns. Compare them in your mind with the Maison Carrée.

Practical

This is a working court building: the visit is from outside, from the Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle, with free access.

Nearby

The Pradier fountain is in the centre of the esplanade, the Arena a few steps away, and the Maison Carrée about ten minutes’ walk along boulevard Victor-Hugo.

Test yourself

Sources

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

Information checked on 6 October 2026.