You are now on the Place de la Salamandre, a small square in the Écusson dominated by a large facade: that of the Hôtel de Chazel, at number 6. Its story begins with an interrupted building project. Work started in 1619 under the direction of the architect Jean Chirac. But the architect died before it was finished, and the work had to be taken up again: the house was not completed until 1636. Look at the main facade: tall windows are topped by pediments that alternate, one triangular, then one curved, then triangular again. The windows are framed by decorated surrounds. In the centre, the doorway is decorated with rustication, stones cut in relief, and topped by a tabernacle-shaped pediment. On the side facade, a second doorway shows a decoration of metopes and quadriglyphs, a variation on the motifs of ancient temples. Since 22 July 1963, the facade on the square and the matching roof have been listed as historic monuments. Step back to the edge of the square to take in the whole facade at a single glance.
History
The Hôtel de Chazel was mostly built between 1619 and 1630 to plans by the architect Jean Chirac. Work was interrupted by the architect’s death, then resumed, and the house was finished in 1636. On 22 July 1963, the facade overlooking the Place de la Salamandre and the matching roof were listed as historic monuments. The building now belongs to a private company.
Art and architecture
The large decorated facade is the centrepiece of the square. The tall windows are topped by alternately triangular and curved pediments, and surrounded by ornate frames. The central doorway features rustication and a tabernacle pediment. The side facade has another doorway, decorated with metopes and quadriglyphs: metopes are the panels set between vertical motifs, inspired by ancient architecture.
Anecdotes
Work on the Hôtel de Chazel lasted nearly seventeen years, from 1619 to 1636, partly because its architect, Jean Chirac, died before finishing it. The house you see is therefore the result of two building phases, brought together in a facade that nonetheless looks perfectly uniform.
What to look for
Stand facing number 6. Read the facade from left to right, following the alternating pediments. Then look at the central doorway and its rustication, and walk a few steps to discover the side facade and its second doorway with metopes.
Practical
The square is a public space, accessible at any time, in the heart of the Écusson. The building is private: it is viewed from the square. In the morning, the square is quieter for studying the carved details.
Nearby
The Grand’Rue and the Hôtel Rivet are a few minutes away. Further on, Rue de l’Aspic has other 17th century mansions, including the House of the Atlantes, built a few decades after the Hôtel de Chazel.
On site, look for: Count the triangular and curved pediments above the windows.
Test yourself
Who was the architect of the Hôtel de Chazel?
- Andrea Bruno
- Claude Rollin
- Jean Chirac (answer)
In what year was the house completed?
- 1636 (answer)
- 1789
- 1952
Which shapes do the window pediments alternate?
- Square and diamond
- Star and circle
- Triangle and arc (answer)
Sources
- POP Mérimée: building known as Hôtel de Chazel (PA00103121)
- Wikipedia: List of historic monuments in Nîmes
Information checked on 6 October 2026.