Excavation of the Arena

There were 57 houses, shops, storage rooms, and wine cellars under the arcades around the Arena, 86 in the monument, and outside 19 adjoining houses plus the executioner’s premises (Caisse des Morts), Jeu de Paume (indoor tennis court) and the Performance Hall.

Map of the Nîmes roman amphitheater , Victor Grangent, 1809 (Musée du Vieux Nîmes © City of Nîmes)

The city bought part of the houses located in the monument and started demolishing them. The urban rampart around the Arena was also demolished.

The Jeu de Paume, the Performance Hall and two buildings to the north were torn down.

The demolitions under the arches and outside of the monument were completed, as well as to the south-east of it.

Some of the clusters of buildings to the north were razed to widen the boulevard around the Arena.