Pretty Lussan in Gard, southern France, is formally one of many prettiest villages in France (‘Plus Beaux Villages’). This pastoral area within the coronary heart of Occitanie has the whole lot an ardent Francophile may need – picturesque villages, castles, gardens, vineyards, wealthy in tradition and historical past, and nice gastronomy.
What to see and do in Lussan in Gard
The medieval village of Lussan is perched on a hill, surrounded by rocky fragrant scrubland peppered with rosemary, lavender, thyme, sage and juniper. It’s a car-free village so depart the wheels within the automobile park under the village and benefit from the websites in peace.
Discover the slender, cobbled streets lined with boutiques, artists workshops, and potteries – and don’t miss a go to to Les Ceramiques de Lussan who create the well-known hand-painted guinea fowl of Lussan, simply three minutes by automobile from the city.
Go to 14th century Saint Peter’s Church, and uncover the city corridor of Lussan in a fifteenth century citadel the place you may go to the stateroom which has a good looking seventeenth century painted ceiling. A stroll alongside the just lately restored ramparts is a should. From right here, you’ll get pleasure from very good panoramic views over the Cévennes area, the Ardèche mountains and Mont Ventoux – the mountain is understood domestically because the ‘large of Provence.’
Take pleasure in a break within the shade of the chestnut bushes within the central Place des Marronniers the place there’s a good café-auberge (Maison Gramme) and a pétanque pitch, or the gastronomic Bistrot de Lussan, and close by La Desk d’Azor is charming.
Native strolling and trails
There are a number of signposted walks and trails in or near Lussan, which vary from 6km to 15km, together with Les Concluses which takes you alongside a spectacular pure gorge lined with rocky corridors hewn by time and water into unusual shapes which give it an otherworldly really feel. There are two choices for strolling the Concluses trails – the straightforward route takes round 45 minutes over a 2.2km distance; the longer route, 11.3km and round 3h20m, is tougher (average) however value it for the beautiful views.
The locals additionally suggest a stroll that reveals the Menhir of the ‘Pierre Plantée’ – a mysterious megalith in the course of an oak forest. The tall stone block is assumed to have been erected greater than 2000 years in the past. Its objective is unknown, place of worship, funeral marker or astronomical landmark perhaps? No matter its origins, it’s an interesting monument in magnificent countryside.
Locations to go to close to Lussan
Tempting as it’s to remain in Lussan, there’s heaps to see within the space which has a wonderful street community.
Uzès
Uzès is about 19km south of Lussan and is totally enchanting. The city dates again to Roman instances and the medieval streets of the previous city spiral round a nonetheless lived in medieval citadel referred to as the Duchy. The Place aux Herbes with terrace cafés and arcades relationship to the center ages, hosts a wonderful weekly market. The ornate Fenestrelle Tower is a part of Saint Théodorit Cathedral constructed from 1090 on the location of a Roman temple (however rebuilt since). The city additionally has a Medieval backyard, the place you may climb the King’s tower for panoramic views of the city and past.
Pont du Gard
A brief distance southwest of Uzès the Pont du Gard is a should see. This Roman aqueduct was constructed within the first century AD to hold water from a spring in Uzès over 50km to Nemausus (now Nîmes). It is among the best-preserved Roman aqueducts on the planet, and a UNESCO World Heritage website. Constructed on three ranges, it reaches 49m above the rocky riverbed and is a whopping 274m lengthy.
Collias
Situated within the coronary heart of the Gardon Gorges, a UNESCO-listed Biosphere Reserve, Collias is secret place that’s brimming with a wealthy pure, architectural, and historic heritage. As you stroll by way of the slender streets, the previous involves life as you ogle the superbly restored historic homes and calm down in shaded hidden squares
A river flows by way of this charming little village and you may swim right here and calm down on the pebble seaside (it’s the locals’ favorite for a refreshing dip. It’s also possible to rent a canoe right here and paddle your option to the Pont du Gard 8km from Collias. Collias is a central level for very good strolling circuits, and teams may also ebook an organised hikes together with entry to a paleolithic cave, and an in a single day keep.
The pleasant vacationer workplace can organise stays in Lussan and round, guided excursions for teams, organised hikes and extra: uzes-pontdugard.com/en/groupe
