At the heart of the titanic construction site of the Nîmes arenas: the importance of moving slowly

The first half of the crown of the arenas will have benefited, for the moment, from restoration work. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

Gutters to guide water, a major enemy of the building due to its infiltration Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

Mélanie Buire, referent for the amphitheater file at the City of Nîmes, takes stock of the construction site. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

Various projects are underway in the arenas. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

The wear of building stones varies depending on the nature of the materials used. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

A titanic restoration project, but above all protection of the site. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

The major problem of the arenas ? The almost total disappearance of the initial cavea. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

Half of the crown of the arenas will soon be restored. here, a very identifiable before/after. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

In the logistics entrance, subject to a lot of vibrations from passing trucks, the vault was notably reinforced. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

Des grillages provisoires avant la pose d'un plancher grillagé qui devrait être effective d'ici un an. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

Started in 2009, the arena construction site is focused on both securing the site and its restoration. Behind the scenes, workers are busy as the current phase must be completed by the end of March.

While the season of festivities at the arenas has not yet started, behind the scenes, activity is in full swing in the spans of the two-thousand-year-old monument. All current projects must be completed by the end of March. They will not resume until next September, when the public will have deserted the stands, galvanized by the Roman Games, bullfights and other concerts which will punctuate the months to come.

More than restoration, protection of the site

Since 2009, the City of Nîmes has begun a monumental project within this Roman heritage, committing to 25 years of work. Restoration objective, but above all protection of a building which tries to resist the ravages of time. With, as a major enemy, the rain. Since the disappearance of part of the cavea which served as a roof, the current metal stands rest on what was once the bowels of the site. Today under the open sky, rainwater has every opportunity to infiltrate and worsen the wear of the stones."But we are doing everything we can to counter these downpours of rainwater and ensure that we bring the water where we want it to go" ;, explains Mélanie Buire, referent for the amphitheater file at the City.

After mapping the premises, a stone-by-stone study to calibrate the damage, multiple security solutions were chosen. In the logistics entrance, where trucks and numerous passages promote vibrations, the vault was reinforced by a metal structure in order to lighten its load. A little further on, in the Consular gallery, stones have been replaced, while protective nets have been installed to catch any falling stones. "A mesh floor, which is currently being validated by the Drac (Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Editor's note)should be installed within a year", predicts Mélanie Buire. 

Between temporary and permanent

Floor which will also only have a temporary lifespan of approximately 10 years. Because that is the paradox of this project, working on a temporary basis to move forward with global sustainability and allow this major work to continue to endure over the centuries. & ;quot;We also have to resume previous renovations. In places, joints have been redone with cement. We replace them with lime. There's nothing worse than cement", breathes, a bit disappointed, Mélanie Buire.

Who quickly finds a smile when looking up towards the already renovated bays."We attacked through the northern spans, which were the most weakened. Currently, we are able to do five in fourteen months, explains the project manager. At the end of the current phase of construction focused on spans 7 to 11, the work on the first half of the crown will be completed. &quot ;The second part will be simpler and will go faster because the stones are less damaged", she assures.     

What about the metal bleachers

While the work is planned to last until 2034 for a total work envelope estimated at 54 M€, the ultimate issue remains the future of the arena seats. "I don't think that the metal stands will stay",projects the file referent. Who does not hide the fact that the ambition to recreate a roof of stands is, in itself, well worth the qualifier of "titanic" applied to this project led by the City.

Between work and festivities

The current phase of work on the arena site will therefore be interrupted between April and September. The City thus specifies that, "as a result of this work, the Spring of Aficion, which will take place on April 5 and 6, will be held at the Bosquet des Jardins de la Fontaine".  The amphitheater will therefore open its season with the traditional Roman Days  of Nîmes and will close it with the Feria des Vendanges. The cost of the current phase of work is estimated at 2.4 M€, of which 150,000 € of studies. Carried mainly by the City of Nîmes, they are subsidized by the State, the Occitanie Region, the Department of Gard and Nîmes Métropole, and are monitored by the project management group headed by the L’ Goutal Agency (chief heritage architect), with the Asselin firm (economists) and Équilibre Structure (design office). The work is being carried out by the companies SELE (MH Heritage restorer), Atelier Bouvier (MH Sculpture restorer), Atelier du Métal (Metallery) and Hussor Erecta (scaffolding).

"It's a very big job, we are in full discussion with the Drac and the various stakeholders to decide on the best options ." Until then, if the exterior scaffolding will be the first to disappear to make way for a renovated facade, inside the arenas, we are hurry slowly, but surely to preserve this exceptional heritage.

I subscribe to read more