The Region

UZES AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

Uzès is ideally located in the heart of the Gard Provençal region, just 25 minutes from Nîmes and 45 minutes from Avignon, Saint Rémy or Arles. The Mediterranean beaches are less than an hour’s drive away, as is the Parc National des Cévennes. Uzès offers a unique cultural and natural environment.

The first Duchy of France, Uzès proudly dominates the wild garrigue that surrounds it. Listed as a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire (Town of Art and History), Uzès is home to many architectural treasures, including the Fenestrelle tower, the only example of a round campanile in France. The cobbled streets, home to a rare collection of private mansions, and the many shady, lively squares, reveal the charm of this town of almost 9,000 inhabitants and the richness of its heritage, classified as a “protected sector”.

The roads leading to Uzès, lined with plane trees and dotted with charming stone villages, offer bucolic landscapes among fruit trees, olive groves and vineyards. The town of Uzès has a wealth of shops, with over 90 cafés and restaurants, numerous boutiques, art galleries, a cinema and all the necessary medical, financial and educational infrastructure. The Place aux Herbes, a Uzès landmark, hosts its famous market every Wednesday and Saturday morning around its large fountain and in the shade of its plane trees. Numerous cafés and restaurants await you to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the square, the very heart of the town. It’s also the venue for numerous events throughout the year, including the famous black truffle market in January.

The year is punctuated by a number of major festivals. Les Nuits Musicales, a classical music festival featuring concerts in the city’s most emblematic venues: the Duchy, Saint Théodorit Cathedral and L’Ombrière, a new cultural and conference center. Uzès danse, a contemporary dance festival. Uzès danse, a contemporary dance festival, photo festival and comic strip festival, to name but a few. The Pays d’Uzès, a region rich in color, culture, life and history, enjoys a peaceful environment away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities of the south or the Côte d’Azur. The region is well served by the A7 and A9 freeways, the TGV stations of Nîmes, Nîmes Pont du Gard and Avignon TGV, and the airports of Nîmes, Montpellier and Marseille.

When visiting Uzès, don’t miss a visit to the Duchy, Saint Théodorit Cathedral, Saint Etienne Church and the medieval garden. You’ll need to climb the hundred or so steps to the top of the King’s Tower for an exceptional view of the town. The 11th-century Tour Bermonde in the Ducal Palace of Uzès also offers unrivalled views. Guided tours, organized by the Tourist Office, will allow you to push open the doors of some of the town’s most beautiful private mansions. The Évêché gardens overlook the Eure valley at the foot of the town. An idyllic spot for a stroll, a picnic or the start of a 3-hour hike to the Pont du Gard, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was here that the Romans came to collect water to supply the city of Nîmes. Discover the remains of the aqueduct, enjoy the sports trail or climb up to the orientation table for an unforgettable view of Uzès.