Between the Cévennes hills and the sun-drenched plains of the Languedoc, medieval Uzès shouldn’t be solely one of the vital stunning cities in southern France, but in addition one of the vital scrumptious. From historical confectionery traditions to tasty truffle dishes, the gastronomy of Uzès and the broader Gard division displays a wealthy terroir formed by olive groves, vineyards, and Mediterranean influences.
Whether or not you’re wandering by means of the Place aux Herbes with a basket of market produce, or lingering over a glass of native wine, the culinary credentials of sun-kissed Uzès are really delicious.
Savoury classics
The area has a number of savoury specialities, together with brandade de morue, a salty, silky mix of cod, olive oil, cream and garlic. Served heat unfold on bread or bread fried in olive oil – it’s a basic style of southern France. There’s additionally Petit pâté nîmois which is claimed to have been invented in close by Nimes within the early 1800s – a spiced meat pie made with veal and pork. Tapenade, a mixture of olives, anchovies and garlic is a agency favorite with aperitifs – embrace Cartagène, an area fortified wine. Pélardon goat’s cheese from the Cévennes, one among Europe’s oldest cheeses is a must-eat. Purchase it on the weekly market or Fromagerie Albert in Place Albert 1er close to the vacationer workplace.
The countryside round Uzès is sort of a pantry of Mediterranean flavours. Olive groves dominate the panorama, producing high-quality oils; black truffles love the solar and the terroir, and candy Onions from Vers-Pont du Gard (in September there’s a market devoted to this scrumptious product).
An ideal place to style all that’s scrumptious within the space, Les Compagnons du Terroir is simply a number of kilometres from Uzès, within the medieval village of Castillon-du-Gard, and has change into a vacationer attraction in its personal proper – an absolute should for anybody who likes to eat scrumptious meals. It’s a store with greater than 2500 merchandise and an excellent, terraced café – nice for a glass of wine, espresso, and what they name a ‘tasting snack’ – and I name a feast!
The big selection of merchandise contains Picholine olives from 20km away, bull saucisson from the Camargue, Pélardon from close by pottery city Lussan, pompe a l’huille with olive oil from Uzès, thought of a Christmas deal with “nevertheless it’s too good to solely 12 months every year” I used to be informed as I tucked in. Brandade, the native fish paste from Nimes, is unfold on bread from a boulangerie in Uzès, “the baker makes it prefer it was once on the desk of grandma, it’s so particular” I’m informed. The scrumptious merchandise characterize the culinary flavours of this space. Open 12 months spherical, you should buy within the store and eat there at lunch time or attempt a tasting. All through July and August, the store and terrace – which has a guinguette model ambiance – open till late on Fridays
Candy issues
Uzès has lengthy been well-known for liquorice. Launched as a medicinal plant, it developed right into a thriving confectionery business within the nineteenth century, with factories established within the city within the 1800s. The well-known French Zan liquorice model was created right here, giving Uzès’ a fame because the French capital of liquorice. At present, that heritage lives on below the Haribo title, which acquired the native confectionery enterprise within the late 1900s. Simply on the outskirts of Uzès city, you possibly can go to the Haribo Museum the place the story of sweets is dropped at life – together with a tasting, and the place the large store is the stuff of desires for the sweet-toothed!
Within the city look out for Croquets d’Uzès – crisp almond biscuits, Figatine – a wealthy fig and almond confection, Nougat, calissons and different Provençal treats. Chocolate followers will love Mes Goodies in Boulevard Gambetta. Made by grasp chocolatier Alfonso Cannarozzo who makes use of cocoa merchandise and works with native producers the selection of goodies is modern and completely irresistible. Yvette who works within the store may help you select, inform her what flavours you want “that can assist you indulge your ardour” she says. For me she really helpful ginger and jus de citron – mouth-wateringly good!
Wine
The Romans left behind not simply buildings – however a love of wine, and this area is among the oldest wine rising areas of Europe. Fruity pink wines, white wines and delicate rosés are all produced and native makers share their knowledgeable know-how with a various vary of oenological experiences together with discovery trails by means of the vineyards, oenology lessons, tastings and workshops.
A number of domains mix artwork and vines such because the Domaine Deleuze Rochetin, the Domaine de Malaïgue and the Domaine de Panéry the place 14 vintages are made – together with a pure glowing wine, and has an artwork gallery that’s free to go to. The wine tasting expertise is excellent, and typically Gard wines are cheaper than most areas of southern France. Panéry additionally has one of many largest olive orchards in France and lately found proof revealed that the Romans grew olives on this web site 2000 years in the past. There’s additionally a wonderful restaurant – their Sunday Brunch is famous in these components – and a really moderately priced lunch time menu; plus luxurious resort lodging.
Uzès market
On the centre of Uzès lies the enchanting Place aux Herbes, a fantastically preserved medieval sq. shaded by airplane bushes and framed by arcaded buildings. For hundreds of years, this has been the city’s business and social hub. Previously, fruit and vegetable markets have been generally known as ‘herb markets’– therefore the title – the custom continues with full of life markets held twice every week (Wednesday and Saturday).
The place to eat
There are such a lot of nice eating places in Uzès it’s exhausting to know the place to start out!
Bistro du Chai opened summer time 2025 and has gained a stellar fame with the locals – in a city that already has such an incredible selection of eating places, that’s an actual achievement. With an open kitchen, nice wine listing, tasty meals it’s among the finest.
Les Terroirs in Place aux Herbes affords nice meals, a wonderful view over the fountain within the centre, and at evening, when the lights twinkle within the bushes, it’s fairly magical.
La Villa Curti within the centre of Uzès is excellent, on a sunny day below the vine lined terrace, you’ll really feel much less such as you’ve taken a break to eat, and extra you’ve had a mini vacation!
Vieux Café on the airplane tree lined most important avenue is nice for folks watching, and locals love to fulfill right here for beer, tapas, snacks.
Le Ten, off Place aux Herbes, is tiny however has an incredible menu and Midi a l’Ombre has an incredible chef, refined meals, stunning restaurant – don’t miss the chocolate dessert!
Occasions
There’s at all times one thing happening all year long, with iconic occasions that commemorate native heritage, foods and drinks and tradition. Festivals, conventional celebrations, markets and connoisseur occasions are held all 12 months lengthy: a wine honest in August, black truffles from the Uzès countryside, celebrated every winter – the entire city smells of truffles in January and February; and the Saveurs et Savoirs pageant in October.
Uncover extra about Uzès: uzes-pontdugard.com/en
