Coming to another trambus stop, Liberté. Behind is a brand new apartment building, and a lower building, which one day probably will have to go… But what is most interesting, is the shape of the man in the stop signal: it’s like a star!
Tag Archives: modern
Seen from the trambus: Le Colisée
The trambus route to Nîmes center goes between the apartment and office block Le Colisée, designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. The (rather grey and dull) building is said to be inspired by the Arènes de Nîmes, and was built between 1989 and 1995.
Seen from the trambus: Nemausa swimming pool
Going towards the city center: after crossing the highway bridge, you will see the Nemausa swimming pool on your left. There, right behind the trees. In the building there are also two restaurants, and some offices. The stade nautique de Nemausa opened in 2007.
Facing the sun
I first thought that this apartment building in the Pissevin district was under construction. It seems, however, that it’s not. It’s just that all the window shutters are down due to the heat of the sun!
(This picture was taken in early August, now it’s getting much better already…)
Nôvéo apartment buildings
Boulevard Salvador Allende; route de Saint-Gilles
Entering the city, you may see these new Nôvéo apartment buildings, with a (fairly strange) sculpture by Joaqim Baptista Antunes, named “La deuxième position du temps”.
At the corner of Carré d’Art
The open corner behind the Carré d’Art modern art museum and library has become a popular spot for the young Nîmois. The large windows work as mirrors, and you can see youngsters dancing in the hip hop style and doing all sorts of performances.
Inauguration of Allées Jean-Jaurès
Jean-Michel Wilmotte, architect of the new Allées Jean-Jaurès
Fanfares
Hats for everyone, kisses for friends
Today’s tour bus, starting in the afternoon
Rosé and pastries – cheers!
The new Allées Jaurès and the entrance of Jardins de la Fontaine in the distance
Although it was raining and cold, quite many people attended the inauguration of Allées Jean-Jaurès today. The avenue has gone through an amazing change: on this very spot were cars parked when I first visited Nîmes, and now it’s a beautifully designed and green park, where children can play and people relax!
I really wanted to see the architect, Jean-Michel Wilmotte, as I think he has done a great job here. And there he was, a man in his 60’s, giving a short and rather amusing speech after the mayor’s long explanations. And then it was time for the cocktails and snacks in the gardens.
Afternoon there would be bus tours, circus, falcons and other events, but I got so cold I thought I’ll skip it.
Anyway, if you’re coming to Nîmes, take a stroll at this avenue become a park. It’s really very nice.
Painters at work
It’s the emblem of Nîmes – a crocodile chained to a palm tree – above the entrance of the market hall, now being painted bright and green!
Reading man
Another favourite statue: Le jardinier du mont des oliviers, or the Gardener of the Mount of Olives by a French artist, Martial Raysse. The statue and the mount of olives is part of the beautiful Place d’Assas, remade (?) in 1989, with more statues and fountains. And the book that the man is reading under the olive trees, is said to be the book of wisdom.
Spring is definitely here: at the moment the foliage of the micocouliers is amazingly light green!
Statue of Nemausa under renovation
One of my favourite statues here in Nîmes is the wooden Nemausa by François Godebski (1940–1977) next to the canal of the Jardins de la Fontaine. It’s made of one tree trunk, and resembles a woman, that is the goddes Nemausa, who has plunged through the pavement and is on her way back to the water where she belongs. Well, this is how I see it, at least.
The lady Nemausa had, however, gotten in a bad condition, and now the restauration work has begun. Two men are working on the wooden structure, removing the rotten parts, filling the hollow center with cement (I guess) and otherwise doing a delicate work to get Nemausa back to her… well, not feet, but let’s say, in shape.
Tickling her feet? No, just filling the hollowness.
Passersby alwasy smile, when they see Nemausa, and now wonder, when they see th structure around her.
Nîmes notes 