Market Square

Place du Marché, in Nîmes

Place du Marché is a charming square of Nîmes, adorned with the famous crocodile fountain. The Nîmes audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this lively place, where you discover the emblem of the city.

The crocodile, emblem of Nîmes

Place du Marché is a pretty square of the historic centre, lined with terraces and palm trees. It is adorned with a fountain topped with a crocodile chained to a palm tree, the emblem of Nîmes. This symbol goes back to the Roman era and to a coin struck to celebrate the conquest of Egypt, of which the crocodile recalls the memory. A convivial meeting place, the square is one of the most charming and identity-rich corners of the city.

What to see

You admire the fountain with the crocodile chained to a palm tree, the emblem of Nîmes, in a pretty square lined with terraces and palm trees. Place du Marché is one of the most charming and identity-rich corners of the city. It is a convivial stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

Place du Marché lies in the heart of the historic centre of Nîmes, reachable on foot. It is a public space open at all times, freely accessible and on the level; the cafés and shops around have their own hours. The square is particularly pleasant on a terrace in the warm season.

What does the crocodile of Place du Marché represent?

The crocodile chained to a palm tree is the emblem of Nîmes, inherited from the Roman era and from a coin celebrating the conquest of Egypt.

Where is Place du Marché?

In the heart of the historic centre of Nîmes, in the Gard.