The Time Inference with MUSE in Extragalactic Rings (TIMER) project is a survey using the integral-field spectrograph Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) on the VLT to study 24 nearby barred galaxies with prominent central structures, such as nuclear rings or inner discs. One of our main goals is to estimate the cosmic epoch when galaxy discs settle, leading to the formation of bars. This is also the onset of a phase in the history of the Universe during which secular evolution processes in galaxies become important. We illustrate the quality of the data with some first results and describe the legacy potential of the survey.