This is recognition that has been hoped for for years for this Roman temple built at the beginning of our era.
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The Maison Carrée of Nîmes, a Roman temple built at the beginning of our era, was listed on Monday September 18 as a UNESCO world heritage site. It becomes the 51st French property included on the list. It only took a few minutes for representatives of UNESCO member states meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to validate the file for this perfectly preserved, two-thousand-year-old temple, which now joins the prestigious list established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
“We will be worthy of this decision. The Maison Carrée, dear to the inhabitants of Nîmes and the citizens of the French Republic, is now a common good of all the United Nations”declared from Riyadh the mayor of Nîmes, Jean-Paul Fournier, overwhelmed by emotion and in tears.
“France welcomes the inclusion of the Maison Carrée de Nîmes on the UNESCO world heritage list and extends its thanks to the members of the Committee for the recognition of the exceptional universal value of this property!”reacted on X (formerly Twitter), the permanent delegation of France to UNESCO.
The city anticipates “significant economic benefits”
Unlike its neighbor Arles, which also has a Roman amphitheater as well as thermal baths and an ancient theater, or the Pont du Gard aqueduct, Nîmes missed the boat of recognition by Unesco around forty years ago. ‘years.
According to Nîmes, this world heritage listing will “generate an increase in tourist numbers” and will be a “real growth lever for the city”with some “significant economic benefits”.