UZES, CITY OF ART AND HISTORY

Uzès, first duchy of France, dominates proudly the surrounding countryside.

The imposing shadows of the King’s tower, the Duke’s tower and the Bishop’s tower watch over the town as a reminder of the three powers that governed daily life in medieval times.

In perfect contrast, the real symbol of town is the very delicately sculpted XII century Fenestrelle bell tower. Standing proudly against the cathedral, in typical Lombardy style, this remarkable round campanile is the unique example of such architecture in France.

Steeped in history and culture the narrow cobbled streets lined with limestone facades and soft pastel shutters, and the shaded squares with their trickling fountains offer a very authentic and picture-perfect south of France escape.

The river Eure flows generously from its spring through the valley just below the cathedral. This is where the Romans came to find the water to supply Nîmes. It is the start of the impressive 50km long aqueduct, symbolised by the famous Pont du Gard a Unesco world heritage site.

Once an important trading center, Uzès is perfectly situated at the junction of Provence and the national parcs of the Cévennes and the Camargue. The Ardèche gorges are an hour north and the Mediterranean Sea an hour south. The Cévennes mountains an hour ouest and the hilltop villages of the Luberon an hour east. You can’t miss a visit to the towering Pont du Gard, Nîmes with its amphitheater and numerous roman monuments, Avignon, the Papal palace and famous half bridge.

Rolling hills of vineyards, olive groves and lavender fields dotted with hilltop villages avait to be discovered on foot, by bike, by kayak or why not by hot air balloon.