After years of civic struggle, residents of the heights of the Gambetta district in Nîmes can enjoy a park in the city center. A real green lung, restored with respect for the site.
Nestled in the city center, at 26 rue Meynier de Salinelles, on the hill of the Tour Magne between the streets Rouget-de-Lisle and Ménard, the park has just reopened its doors to the people of Nîmes.
It took ten years to be able to enjoy this green setting. The inhabitants of Haut Gambetta are happily rediscovering the historic Meynier de Salinelles park.
We can really feel the history of this place, but what I look at above all is the presence of this green lung in the neighborhood.
Eric, a local resident.
A green lung preserved from the appetite of real estate developers thanks to the determination of the neighborhood’s residents.
The park escaped a real estate project that ultimately never saw the light of day. Initially, this green space, owned by the department since 1880, was to be sold to a real estate developer, a decision validated by the departmental councilors.
However, members of the Gambetta-Révolution neighborhood committee and local residents contested this decision by bringing the case before the administrative court and challenging the city’s PLU.
Thanks also to the Gard Departmental Council, which restored this 7000 m2 site acquired in 1880 to house the teacher training college.
A story that will perhaps be told, who knows, in the little Théâtre de Verdure.
“The stage, which is here with the Théâtre de Verdure, is dedicated to cultural events. The department wants to enhance this site. The objective is to revive this space, while giving it a cultural dimension and also preserving the landscape heritage”, explains Roch Vernède, project supervisor at the Gard Departmental Council.
A park rich in historical details • © FTV
At the entrance, there is a shared garden dedicated to local plant varieties. To make the park their own, the landscaper has designed games for children and an urban garden with Mediterranean plants that awaken the senses.It’s lemon thyme, it smells very good, we put it in sauces and Mediterranean dishes“, rejoices this walker.
“We wanted to offer vegetable gardens so that the people of Nîmes and Gard might take advantage of them,” explains Florence Durville Battin, landscaper at the Gard Departmental Council.
850,000 euros have been invested to bring this natural corner in the heart of Nîmes city centre back to life.
Opening hours and days are adapted according to the season. Tuesday to Sunday: from April to September from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. From October to March, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
