Antique map of Nîmes, 1698

Diocèse de Nismes is an elegant and historically significant map depicting the region surrounding the ancient city of Nîmes, created by the distinguished French cartographer and engraver Jean-Baptiste Nolin in 1698. The map is particularly notable for its emphasis on the remarkable Roman heritage of Nîmes, one of the most important centers of Roman civilization in southern France. Produced during the reign of Louis XIV, the work reflects the growing scholarly fascination with antiquity that characterized the late seventeenth century.

Centered on the Diocese of Nîmes, the map carefully illustrates towns, villages, rivers, roads, and administrative boundaries while highlighting the region's rich historical landscape. Nîmes itself had been a flourishing Roman colony known as Nemausus, and by the seventeenth century its ancient monuments remained among the best-preserved in Europe. Nolin’s work celebrates this legacy by drawing attention to the city’s celebrated Roman remains, which had become objects of study and admiration among historians, antiquarians, and travelers.

Among the most famous monuments associated with Nîmes are the Maison Carrée, one of the finest surviving Roman temples, and the imposing Arènes de Nîmes, a remarkably preserved Roman amphitheater. The nearby Pont du Gard, the monumental Roman aqueduct bridge, further exemplified the engineering achievements of antiquity and contributed to the region’s fame throughout Europe.

The map combines geographic precision with decorative elegance characteristic of French cartography during the Grand Siècle. Fine engraving, ornamental cartouches, and sophisticated typography enhance both its aesthetic appeal and practical value. Nolin’s careful depiction of the landscape reflects the increasing importance of accurate regional mapping for administration, travel, and scholarship.

Find more maps of Jean Baptiste Nolin