Through roads that climb over stony hills and plateaus of wildflowers and herbs, previous the gorges of the River Gardon, and throughout a quaint 13th century bridge – the Pont St Nicholas, constructed by monks (who additionally constructed the Pont d’Avignon) you attain Uzès. This pickled prior to now little city is an absolute gem says Janine Marsh as she explores what to see and do in Uzès.
Uzès – the key jewel within the crown of the Gard
Generally I go to someplace and must ask myself, how is it that I’ve by no means been right here earlier than, that I didn’t know the way beautiful it’s. Uzès is a type of locations. A city the place historic mulberry timber develop within the cobbled streets and birds sing in airplane timber, the place medieval stone buildings are cared for with ardour, and a love of artwork de vivre (the French artwork of residing effectively), influences the lifestyle.
The Romans based Uzès (Uzes-pontdugard.com/en) after they got here to channel the water from the close by River Gard through a 50-kilometre-long aqueduct, which included the magnificent Pont du Gard constructed round 50 years after Christ died, to Nimes. Within the Center Ages, Uzès was affluent and thrived. However after World Warfare II, the inhabitants was in decline and the previous buildings suffered from a scarcity of funding and preservation. You’d by no means understand it as we speak – it’s one of the vital stunning cities in France.
What to see and do in Uzès
Within the centre of the internal previous district stands an infinite feudal fort, Le Duché (Duchy) residence of the Dukes of Uzès, who can hint their ancestry again to the Emperor Charlemagne (748-814). Their household resides right here nonetheless, and the grandmother of the present Duke was instrumental in serving to to attain “protected space” standing for Uzès in 1964 which led to its beautiful restoration and preservation.
The Duchy has a little bit of a fairy story really feel to it, enclosed behind excessive partitions, the purple and gold ducal flag flies from a tall tower when the Duke is in residence. There’s an unlimited courtyard with a reasonably backyard to 1 facet, and throughout are buildings of various epochs together with an 11th century preserve and Tour of Bermonde, which was renovated by Viollet-le-Duc after it was broken within the French Revolution (he additionally restored the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, and the Citadel of Carcassonne). Climb the 135 steps of the winding staircase for a fowl’s eye view over the city and surrounding countryside. There’s additionally a Gothic chapel and a blinding roof of colored tiles depicting the ducal crest which was added within the 1800s.
The half the place the household now dwell has a Renaissance façade and you’ll go to lavishly furnished rooms with purple and gold upholstery, tapestries, work chandeliers, grand fireplaces and admire the household crest woven into an opulent carpet “ferro non auro” (iron not gold), indicating their warrior standing. A guided tour will reveal the historical past of the Duchy and the household, together with the feisty Duchess Anne, heiress to the Veuve Cliquot Champagne fortune, who was the primary girl in France to get each a driving licence, and a dashing ticket when in 1898 she drove her automotive in a Parisian park at 15km per hour breaking the velocity restrict of 12km per hour!
Across the Duchy winds a labyrinth of slender cobbled streets which are lined with historic mansions, some with domed towers (a sign of wealth in days passed by), and if you happen to e-book a guided tour on the Vacationer Workplace – you’ll be capable of go inside personal courtyards from the Center Ages and days of the Renaissance. Uzès had a powerful service provider economic system for hundreds of years and was a centre of textile and silk manufacturing within the 17th century – you’ll spot mulberry timber within the city (silkworms feed on their leaves), a reminder of the previous.
The beautiful central sq. Place aux Herbes is a good place to take a break with its fountain and medieval arcades throughout. It’s additionally residence to a twice-weekly market (Wednesday and Saturday). Bordered by eating places and bars, it’s an amazing place from morning to nighttime when locals collect for aperitifs, to dine al fresco, and children play within the sq. below the shade of airplane timber through which fairy lights twinkle. The sq. host a vibrant calendar of occasions too together with a truffle day, craft markets on Sundays, Christmas market, and medieval competition.
Within the enchanting Medieval Gardens, greater than 450 plant species are grown, used for medicinal functions within the Center Ages – the information informed me they’ve a plant which was used to do away with warts – which when rubbed with the leaves would drop off! Sculptures sit alongside lemon timber and madrigal crops, there are common exhibitions, and you’ll climb the Kings Tower for panoramic views and to see the extraordinary medieval graffiti from a time when it functioned as a jail. There’s additionally a stunning café – and a refreshing liquorice and lemongrass natural drink is obtainable as a part of your go to. You may simply spend a few hours right here and lose your self within the lush verdant fantastic thing about this historic backyard.
The great thing about Uzès has lengthy impressed artists and there are quite a few galleries and ateliers within the centre. Jeweller Bénédikt Aïchelé has shops in Paris and Brussels, nevertheless it’s Uzès the place he’s impressed by the sunshine “it’s not like anyplace else” he says, “Even in winter, it brings out the colors of the day and places you in a superb temper.” Painters David Jamin and his daughter Lola, love Uzès’ laidback ambiance and welcome guests to view their artwork in a stunning gallery in a surprising previous constructing.
The city as soon as had ramparts, however they have been destroyed by order of King Louis XIII and his chief Minister Cardinal Richelieu as a part of their marketing campaign in opposition to Huguenot strongholds. The place the ramparts as soon as stood is now a large boulevard dotted with a couple of of the traditional towers that survived the upheaval. Lined with outlets, bars and eating places encircling the internal historic city, look out for the Tour Fenestrelle, a 12th century bell tower six storeys excessive with a colored tile roof. It’s distinctive in France although frequent in Italy, and was as soon as a part of a Romanesque cathedral that was ransacked by the Huguenots.
Subsequent to it’s a 17th century former Cathedral (now church), from the place there’s a super view over the Eure Valley alongside the esplanade. And subsequent to that, the previous 17th century Bishop’s Palace is now a museum with an archaeological assortment from pre-history to the Gallo-Roman interval, and an enchanting assortment of artefacts depicting the lifetime of Uzès and its individuals by the centuries.
A extra fashionable must-see is the Haribo Museum on the outskirts of Uzès, because it’s right here that the candy issues that please the sweet-toothed world wide are produced. There’s additionally the Musée 1900, simply 3km from Uzès within the city of Arpaillagues, which has an eclectic assortment from the start of the 20th century, together with vehicles, horse-drawn carriages, fireplace engines, tractors and objects of on a regular basis life – a whopping 3700 gadgets!
Veer slightly additional into the countryside to find the plush Eure Valley, the place you’ll discover the right place to picnic in nature, amongst remnants of Roman tunnels which as soon as carried the water to the Pont du Gard and on to Nimes.
Foodie Uzès
Uzès embraces artwork de vivre, and there are such a lot of nice eating places it’s arduous to know the place to start out. Within the previous city Les Terroirs in Place aux Herbes has fabulous meals and a view over the well-known fountain. Close by, restaurant La Villa Curti with its vine lined courtyard, is like taking a vacation for a few hours!
The Vieux Café on the airplane tree lined boulevard has a very totally different vibe, nice for individuals watching beer and tapas. And the Bistro du Chai throughout the highway is completely scrumptious. Opened in summer season 2025 it’s gained a stellar repute with the locals – in a city that already has an amazing selection of eating places, that’s an actual achievement.
For one thing a bit totally different, take a 15-minute drive on the Pont du Gard path to the fabulous Les Companons du Terroir, which takes you previous the Haribo manufacturing unit and museum, the place you’ll discover a connoisseur paradise of native produce, with a wine tasting bar and a severely spectacular pop-up restaurant on a sunny terrace. You’ll discover the whole lot right here from native cheeses like Pélardon, one of many oldest goats’ cheeses in Europe, charcuterie, chocolate, honey, sweets, olive oil, truffles, Camargue salt, and greater than 600 wines – it’s the right place to take pleasure in a style of the area (and to purchase souvenirs).
Additionally quarter-hour from Uzès, the Domaine de Panery with its huge vineyards and olive groves has a blinding restaurant, with a menu of native, seasonal dishes. Take a wander within the vineyards, go to their extraordinary artwork gallery and revel in a style of nation life.
The place to remain:
Within the internal city: Boutique Hôtel Entraigues **** reverse the cathedral, in a good looking previous constructing with a roof high pool. It’s enjoyable, luxurious and funky!
Within the outer city: Two steps from the previous city, the 3* L’Hostellerie Provençale is the oldest resort in Uzès and has been welcoming friends for 300 years – count on quirky rooms with classic décor.
Tip: Decide up a Metropolis Cross on-line or on the Vacationer Workplace – it features a guided tour and entry to 10 must-see websites from the Duchy to Pont du Gard, museums and exhibitions. In 2026, there might be an exhibition on the Bishop’s Palace devoted to the historical past of Uzès.
Personalised visits
The tremendous useful vacationer workplace primarily based in Uzès may help organise your keep from airport shuttles to lodging, personal excursions in Uzès and additional afield together with Aix, Avignon and Marseille, rent vehicles, even babysitters. Discover out extra: uzes-pontdugard.com/en/groupe
