The region oozes with culture. Here we give you a brief description of the choices, and then list their websites for more details on each subject.

For more information on Uzès go to the Uzès website at www.uzes.fr

Some of the finest roman remains in Western Europe are right here - the Pont du Gard, and the amplitheatres of Nimes and Orange. (www.ot-nimes.fr)

Avignon is about 45 minutes away on the Rhone River, inviting you to come dance “Sur le pont d’Avignon”, or visit the impressive 14th century Popes Palace.

Montpellier dates over 1000 years and is the most cosmopolitan city of the area. The ancient narrow streets contrast with the 21st century designs on the banks of the Lez. The Place de la Comedie with it cafes that spill out is a wonderful place to relax after a morning’s shopping in the countless shops and speciality stores. A university town, Montpelier is full of students making a very lively place day and night – definitely worth a visit. It is about an hour and a quarter from Uzes. (www.ot-montpellier.fr)

There are festivals of music, dance and theatre in Uzes, Avignon (www.festival-avignon.com) and Montpelier all summer long, but throughout the year there is always something going on. The opera festival in Orange is very special, as you can listen to Verdi or Mozart, sitting in the magnificent amplitheatre, under the stars. (www.choregies.asso.fr)

For arts and crafts there are lots of choices: potters, painters and sculpters abound in the region. For some of the best glassware and ceramics, it is worth looking at the A Table web site, which combines fine dining with fine tableware in the area. 		Nîmes Maison Carrée Pont d'Avignon Arènes de Nîmes
For sports, there is masses of choice. Again, we offer you links to various web pages for more information.

The Mediterranean sea is just over an hour away, with long sandy beaches and warm sea water. There are opportunities to go sailing and windsurfing, motor boating and deep sea fishing. The Camargue – known for its white horses and black bulls, has miles of sandy beaches, and very pleasant resorts including St. Marie de la Mer (www.sainte-marie-la-mer.com). You can hire horses from the farms or manades, and go cantering along the shoreline. The Camargue is also famous for its salt and rice, the salty lakes providing a vast nature reserve for birds – pink flamingos, egrets, sea gulls, herons and avocets.

Still on the theme of boating, you can hire boats by the day or the week to gently cruise along the magnificent waterway of the Canal du Midi (www.canalmidi.com). Begun in 1667, the canal took 15 years to build, and links the Mediterranean and the Atlantic sea.

Canoeing and rafting can be enjoyed on several of the nearby rivers. A spectacular way to appreciate the Pont du Gard is to hire a canoe in Collias (20 minutes from Uzes), and make your way down the Gardon river and under the aquaduct. More dramatic canoeing and kayaking can be found in the Ardeche and Cevennes, about two hours north of Uzes. (www.canoe-france.com/gardon/)

The Cevennes form a high rocky plateau north west of Uzes (www.causses-cevennes.com) . It is a wild area of rocky outcrops, cataracts, large and small lakes, shores lined with pines, beeches, oak and chestnut trees. Above kestrels share the skies with Bonnelli’s eagles – symbol of the French Midi.

Go walking, mountain biking, or horse-riding in the sweet-smelling Garrigue – carpeted in wild thyme, rosemary and savory. Numerous fruit trees have gone wild here, so you can augment your picnic with almonds, olives, and figs during the late summer.

Skiing is available in the winter, with small resorts in the Cevennes about 2 hours away, and the huge choice of resorts in the Alps to the North East. The closest resorts in the Alps are about 3 hours by car.

In Uzes, there are tennis courts, a public outdoor swimming pool, and a nine-hole golf course. For a wonderful birds-eye view of the region, take a hot-air balloon ride over Uzes.

For further information about the area, look at www.tourisme-languedoc-roussillon.com.		 Camargue Dining out in Avignon Ste Marie de la Mer
The region around Uzes is a feast for the senses – a paradise overflowing with produce – vineyards, fruit orchards charged with cherries, apricots and peaches, almond and walnut trees, honey flavoured by the blossoms, lavender, and endless wild herbs. Throughout the seasons, it is a joy to drive around and appreciate this abundance, to sample the goods at the excellent markets, fine restaurants and wine cellars.

The light that the Impressionnists were so taken by, is startling when you first arrive from more northern climes. To wake to bright clear azure skies, high above you, is a wonderful start to the day. Glorious days are found throughout the year – even in January a day can start with a harsh white frost decorating the bare knarled branches of the vines, then burst into bright sunlight, and a clear blue sky. Clearly in summer, there are endless hot days,which start gently, and then the heat rises as the hours pass, to a baking heat early afternoon, which then calms to the most delicious balmy evenings.
This is a remarkable area, less well known and less crowded than the Cote d’Azur but enjoying the same warm climate, and yet dryer than regions to the South west of France. A very central spot - easy to reach by plane, train or car – it is a great destination in itself or as a jumping off spot for exploring elsewhere. However, we are sure that, like us, once you get here, you won’t want or need to go any further. It’s a joy just to be here.
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