The Region
The Gard region is similiar to Provence, scattered with pretty stone Mas and many quaint little villages. The countryside is beautiful with vineyards, and fields of sunflowers and lavender abounding. C'est la vraie France.
The local people are friendly and welcoming. The prices in everyday shops and supermarkets are not excessive. Eating out can be very reasonable and the local wines are excellent value for money and quality. It is an ideal holiday destination for families.
Listed below are just some of the major attractions you may want to visit.
Pont du Gard
This is the famous Roman aqueduct, built over 2,000 years ago to carry water from a spring near Uzès to Nîmes.
A great way to see it is from a canoe. Hire a kayak at Collias and travel gently with the current down to the Pont du Gard. A bus will transport you back to Collias.
Arles
This was Van Gogh's home where he painted many of his best known pictures such as "Starry Night" & "Sunflowers". It also boasts a well restored Roman Arena and theatre.
Nîmes
This was an important Roman city with a superb arena, which is still used for concerts and bullfights. In later years Nîmes was in important textile town that produced both silk, knitted into stockings and a heavy blue cotton fabric known as "Serge de Nîmes". This was used by Levi Strauss for the first jeans and became known as Denim.
Orange
The Roman theatre is the best preserved of the Roman Empire. It is still used for magnificent musical works and boasts superb acoustics. At the entrance to the town is the 2,000 year old Roman Arc de Triomphe.
Uzès
Our favourite place. Uzès is a wonderfully harmonious and lively town. Its colourful and popular Saturday market is filled with the voices of people who come to gather here from all over the region. The alleys wind their way through the town, pass the Renaissance houses and finally lead to squares lined with arcades, plane trees and ornamented with fountains. It's a beautiful town with many shops and restaurants. Children will enjoy the Haribo sweet museum (& factory shop) just outside the town.
The Camargue
The famous Rhone delta. Home to wild white horses, pink flamingos and black bulls. The local population is descended from Spanish/Moorish gypsies who are excellent horsemen. The world famous Gypsy Kings singing group come from the Camargue. There are many places to see the attractions of the Camargue, possibly go riding in the countryside or along the beach.
If you plan to visit the Camargue be sure to stop at a town called Aigues-Mortes.
The town is completely walled and inside the ancient walls you will discover an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. In medieval times the town was on the coast and was the departure port for King Louis, later St Louis of France, to go to the Crusades.
Sète
This is a major fishing town and the best place for sea-food in the region. The harbour side is lined with restaurants. Local specialities are oysters from Bouziques (the best in France) and octopus pie (la tielle sétoise) which tastes better than it sounds. Regular seafood and other dishes are available.
In the summer Sète is the centre for the great spectacle of Joute or jousting from boats. Position yourself in the shade of the usually free stands and watch the madness unfold.
Avignon
This city was home for seven Popes in the 14th Century when the Papacy was expelled from Rome. The magnificent Palais des Papes survives together with half of the Pont Saint-Benezet. This is famous for the children's song.
Sur le pont d'Avignon On the bridge of Avignon
L'on y danse, l'on y danse Everyone dances, everyone dances.
Sur le pont d'Avignon On the bridge of Avignon
L'on y danse tous en ronde Everyone dances, round and round.
Avignon is an attractive city with impressive old city walls and many shops and restaurants.
North of Avignon are the Popes' favourite vineyards at Châteauneuf-du-Pape, literally "New Castle of the Pope".
The Ardèche
The stunning Ardèche Gorges to the North are "a must do". Canoeing is very popular and the natural stone arch known as Pont d'Arc is the most famous feature of this region.
Restaurants
There are many good restaurants a short drive from Brouzet les Alès. These range from Michelin starred fine dining to simple restaurants in quiet villages. There are restaurants in spectacular settings and port side seafood restaurants offering the freshest fare. Not all of them cost a King's ransom. We list some of our favourites with directions and telephone numbers in the Visitor Guides.
Other Places to Visit.
We have listed only the principal nearby attractions. There are pretty villages, deep gorges, cool rivers, water parks, fishing lakes, caves, steam railways and many museums and galleries to discover. The spectacular Millau viaduct (taller than the Eiffel Tower and designed by Norman Foster) is nearby. The Visitors Guides will provide a lot more information.
Mont Bouquet
Rising behind Brouzet les Alès is Mont Bouguet. This is a handy landmark to guide you home. The summit is a spectacular view point and on a clear day you can just see the sea "shimmering" to the South.
How to get around
A car and a decent map are the basic essentials.