Help Planning Trip to the Gard Region of France
Jul 1st, 2023, 08:09 AM
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Help Planning Trip to the Gard Region of France
Hello - I've searched through the Fodor's France forum, and apart from what I've read about Uzes, there doesn't seem to be a lot written about the Gard.
If you are familiar with this region, I would love to hear your advice re: villages/towns/restaurants/shops/olive oil mills/vineyards to visit in the Gard. What are the "you don't want to miss this" places in the Gard? Alternatively, what are the "don't bother" places you've been to in the Gard?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
If you are familiar with this region, I would love to hear your advice re: villages/towns/restaurants/shops/olive oil mills/vineyards to visit in the Gard. What are the "you don't want to miss this" places in the Gard? Alternatively, what are the "don't bother" places you've been to in the Gard?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Jul 3rd, 2023, 09:54 PM
#2
We covered parts of the erstwhile Gard region last June, my trip report may be helpful TRIP REPORT : THE Auvergne and Languedoc, June 2022
Jul 4th, 2023, 03:37 AM
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Thanks for posting this - I really enjoyed reading through it and looking at all the photos. A lot of work on your part to put together and post, and it is very helpful to me (and from the replies I've read, others!) I especially appreciated the link to the blog that talked about Uzes restaurants - I've added that now to my list!
Jul 4th, 2023, 04:47 AM
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ANUJ has covered most of the highlights so well.
If you like exploring rugged country, the Cévennes are wonderful, straddling Gard, Hérault and Lozère, with caves, cirques and breathtaking views — the hikes will ensure breathtaking part. I went looking to see when next year’s transhumance will take place. It is early June when the sheep are ceremonially led up to their higher pastures near Espérou.
The plus beaux villages along the Cèze river and near the Auvergne (Barjac, Aiguèze) make for good strolling and photo opportunities.
Aigues Mortes’ ramparts and salt flats deserve a visit any time, but if you are in the area in August around Fête Saint Louis, it hosts a fête mediévale with all the dressup fun and demonstrations of traditional arts you could ask for.
Other festival opportunities — courses camarguaises or bull running in Sommières, various times over the summer, and of course Nîmes’ own feria.
Nîmes is on my “must return” list because a well-reviewed museum of Romanité has opened since we were last there. It’s a great town for pedestrian wandering. The Pont du Gard was more challenging to visit by bus than we bargained for, but it was worth devoting a day to it, including a refreshing swim in the Gard river right beneath the Pont. You’re not shy about changing into your bathing suit behind a strategically-held towel, right?
If you like exploring rugged country, the Cévennes are wonderful, straddling Gard, Hérault and Lozère, with caves, cirques and breathtaking views — the hikes will ensure breathtaking part. I went looking to see when next year’s transhumance will take place. It is early June when the sheep are ceremonially led up to their higher pastures near Espérou.
The plus beaux villages along the Cèze river and near the Auvergne (Barjac, Aiguèze) make for good strolling and photo opportunities.
Aigues Mortes’ ramparts and salt flats deserve a visit any time, but if you are in the area in August around Fête Saint Louis, it hosts a fête mediévale with all the dressup fun and demonstrations of traditional arts you could ask for.
Other festival opportunities — courses camarguaises or bull running in Sommières, various times over the summer, and of course Nîmes’ own feria.
Nîmes is on my “must return” list because a well-reviewed museum of Romanité has opened since we were last there. It’s a great town for pedestrian wandering. The Pont du Gard was more challenging to visit by bus than we bargained for, but it was worth devoting a day to it, including a refreshing swim in the Gard river right beneath the Pont. You’re not shy about changing into your bathing suit behind a strategically-held towel, right?
Jul 4th, 2023, 07:45 AM
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I totally agree that ANUJ has covered most of the highlights very well. I really enjoyed his trip report when he posted-followed along avidly 
What time of year are you planning for, and how much time in total will you have for the trip? Will you have a car and are you more interested in visiting cities/towns/villages than some of the more remote naturel areas? I think a car is pretty helpful in this region IMO.
I posted this on ANUJ's trip report but thought I would post again here just in case:
If you are still in Uzès, this blog lists many of our favorite restaurants in the town itself:
https://shuttersandsunflowers.com/re...ining-in-uzes/
And one of our favorite restaurants is about a 20 minute drive from Uzès in a little village called Castillon-du-Gard called L'AMPHITRYON
They also have a second restaurant called Les Jarres that is focused on grilling, so could be fun in the summer but probably more meat focused I imagine.
https://restaurant-lamphitryon.ovh/
What time of year are you planning for, and how much time in total will you have for the trip? Will you have a car and are you more interested in visiting cities/towns/villages than some of the more remote naturel areas? I think a car is pretty helpful in this region IMO. I posted this on ANUJ's trip report but thought I would post again here just in case:
If you are still in Uzès, this blog lists many of our favorite restaurants in the town itself:
https://shuttersandsunflowers.com/re...ining-in-uzes/
And one of our favorite restaurants is about a 20 minute drive from Uzès in a little village called Castillon-du-Gard called L'AMPHITRYON
They also have a second restaurant called Les Jarres that is focused on grilling, so could be fun in the summer but probably more meat focused I imagine.
https://restaurant-lamphitryon.ovh/
