Tour Magne

Here you are in front of the Tour Magne, at the top of Mont Cavalier. It is the most imposing remnant of the very long Roman wall of Nîmes. But its story begins before Rome: in the third century BC, a pre-Roman tower 18 metres high already stood here. In the time of Augustus, it was enclosed and raised to reach 36 metres. Today, 32.50 metres remain. Look at its outline: an octagonal Roman base topped by polygonal levels, which were originally blind, that is to say without windows. Inside, a staircase of 132 steps leads to the old terrace, from which you can take in the whole city. The tower has been a listed historic monument since 1840. It has also inspired literature: holorhyme verses by Marc Monnier, often wrongly attributed to Victor Hugo, and a mention in Apollinaire’s Poems to Lou. Since November 2021, the site has been managed by the company Edeis. Please note that the climb is not accessible by wheelchair.

History

The Tour Magne is a pre-Roman structure transformed in the time of Augustus. In the third century BC, a first tower 18 metres high rose on Mont Cavalier. The Romans incorporated it into the colony’s wall and raised it to 36 metres. Today it measures 32.50 metres. It was listed as a historic monument in 1840, and since November 2021 the company Edeis has managed it.

Art and architecture

The tower combines an octagonal Roman base with polygonal upper sections, originally blind. An inner staircase of 132 steps leads to the original terrace. It is the most imposing remnant of the long Roman wall of Nîmes, which linked several gates, including the Porte d’Auguste.

Anecdotes

The tower has fed literature. Holorhyme verses by Marc Monnier, often attributed to Victor Hugo, mention it, and Hugo quotes them in his poem Guitare. Apollinaire refers to it in Poems to Lou, a collection from 1914 written during the war.

What to look for

Walk around the base to appreciate its octagonal plan and the difference with the upper storeys. If you climb up, make the most of the terrace to spot the Arena, the Maison Carrée and the rooftops of the Écusson. At the foot of the tower, the wooded paths of Mont Cavalier lead back down to the Jardins de la Fontaine.

Practical

The Tour Magne overlooks the Jardins de la Fontaine; you reach it on foot by the sloping paths of Mont Cavalier. The site has 140 steps and is not accessible by wheelchair; it offers documentation in Braille and hearing loops. The official website mentions a Tourisme et Handicap label for hearing and mental impairments. Opening hours, prices and the 3 Monuments Pass are on arenes-nimes.com.

Nearby

On the way down, visit the Jardins de la Fontaine and the Temple of Diana. To follow the line of the Roman wall, then head to the Porte d’Auguste, east of the Écusson. The 3 Monuments Pass combines the tower with the Arena and the Maison Carrée.

Test yourself

Sources

• Wikipedia: Tour Magne
• Official website: Arena, Maison Carrée, Tour Magne

Information checked on 6 October 2026.