1907 Temple of Diana Nîmes France Vintage Postcard

About This Vintage Postcard

This antique postcard features a hauntingly beautiful view of the ruins of the Temple of Diana (Temple de Diane) in Nîmes, France. This card showcases the weathered limestone masonry and the surviving barrel-vaulted ceiling of the structure, which dates back to the 1st century AD. Set within the lush greenery of the Fountain Gardens (Jardins de la Fontaine), the crumbling Roman sanctuary is framed by a historic wrought-iron fence, perfectly capturing the romantic, overgrown atmosphere of this ancient site as it appeared in the early 20th century.

Details

Era: Divided Back (1907)
City: Nîmes
State or Region: Gard, Occitanie
Country: France
Topic: Roman ruins, ancient temples, archaeology, French history, Nîmes landmarks
Condition: Uncirculated
Postage: Unused. The reverse features a printed 10 centimes box but lacks a stamp.
Address Side: Divided back
Orientation: Horizontal (Landscape)
Artist / Photographer: Not listed
Publisher: Not listed
Printer: Imp. Pacotte
Print Type: Collotype, Phototype

Additional Information

This card is particularly interesting as the reverse was utilized as a promotional ticket and announcement for a philanthropic event. It advertises the "13th Grand Annual Festival" for "Les Enfants du Gard," a benevolent association. The event took place at the National Horticultural Society in Paris on February 16, 1907. The card also served as a raffle ticket (Tombola) for a price of 0.10 francs, with the drawing held on the same day. This specific ephemeral use provides an exact dating for this card and adds significant historical value regarding social charity work in early 1900s France. Despite its name, archeologists generally believe the building served as a library rather than a temple dedicated to Diana.

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