Rediscover in a unique way this shopping street which (almost) connects boulevards Daudet and Amiral-Courbet with our new episode of our series “Nîmes seen from the sky”.
Bordered by the Maison Carrée but also the Halles, rue Général-Perrier is an essential shopping artery for many Nîmes and the only thoroughfare through the Ecusson, for motorists.
However, until the 1880s, rue Général-Perrier does not exist, the space to the east of the Maison Carrée is even completely built! In the middle of the 19th centurye century, for reasons of hygiene, we then rethink urban organization to facilitate the circulation of air, people and goods. Streets are widened, others are created, buildings are destroyed and new ones, with aligned facades, are built.
Throughout France, cities are transforming to the rhythm of “Haussmannian” breakthroughs, named after Baron Haussmann who initiated the transformation of Paris. In the future rue Perrier, which still has the name rue de la Banque, the facades of the newly built buildings are then harmonized, with long balconies creating perspective effects.
In the same hygienist logic, we built the Halles, bringing together in a single place the steps until then scattered in different parts of the city. The metal frame building was completed in 1884. The street did not take the name of Général Perrier until 1900 (read box below).
A tribute to General François Perrier
Born April 18, 1833 in Valleraugue (in the Cévennes Gard) and died February 20, 1888 in Montpellier, François Perrier was a French soldier and geographer. He was President of the General Council of Gard (1883-1888) and actively participated in the creation of the Mont-Aigoual weather observatory.
Renowned for his qualities as a scientist, he was elected member of the Academy of Sciences, in succession in 1880. In 1900, the Municipal Council of the city of Nîmes decided to give the name “General Perrier” to the street form the bank.
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