Uzes in Gard: Historic Sites and Dramatic Landscapes
Originally posted on & updated on 29th October, 2024
Named after the River Gardon, the Gard is a department in Southern France in the Occitanie region. Languedoc is known for its abundance of historic sites and dramatic landscapes and the Gard follows suit with its proud Roman architecture and National Park. Gard is also home to the source of Perrier, a carbonated mineral water sold both in France and internationally, known for its elegantly shaped green bottle.
The springs were originally used as an open spa in Roman times taking advantage of the Mediterranean weather. After Corsica, the region is the hottest in France and you can expect to enjoy 300 days of sunshine a year here with average annual temperatures of 14°C. The warm summers are perfectly complemented by the hints of Provence that seem to seep through the border, as your senses are awakened by the Gard’s distinct “Provencal” feel.
Owning a property in the Gard allows you to enjoy the luxury lifestyle of living in Provence without having to pay Provencal prices as this department is often overlooked. At My-French-House we have a stunning selection of distinctive properties for sale throughout the Gard, these include newly renovated stone houses with panoramic views and magnificent large country homes offering additional holiday homes and breath-taking landscapes.
Strengthening its roots as a proud part of the Occitanie region, the Gard may show Provencal qualities however you will still find its wealth of pretty medieval towns and villages scattered throughout the department. Its colourful history and impressive World Heritage sites attracts a steady stream of visitors here throughout the year.
Due to the diverse landscape coupled with beautiful weather, outdoor activities have become a major industry in the Languedoc region and the Gard is no different. Towards the coast you have Camarague, famed for flamingos, wild horses and bulls and inland there is the Cevennes National Park. Together these areas challenge you to enjoy their combination of activities such as walking, bird watching, water sports and mountain climbing.
The famous Camargue nature reserve makes up a large part of the coastal area of the Gard and according to its tourist board, this area is home to over 340 different species of birds. You may particularly enjoy the scene of literally thousands of pink flamingos as they wade through the shallows of the wetlands.
If you can take your eyes off the fascinating wildlife you will discover that the Gard’s coastline is small with beaches that are mainly wild and windy with the exception of the beach in Espiguette, perfect for wind and kite-surfer enthusiasts. Back inland in the heart of Cevennes you can experience a 300 meter deep canyon, named the Cirque de Navacelles is a UNESCO World Heritage site that was formed thousands of years ago by the river Vis.
Head south to the capital Nimes, an interesting and compact city, home to bustling little squares and a charming variety of shops, bars and cafes. You may even recognise parts of Nimes as its history is on display with a Roman Temple and perfectly preserved Roman amphitheatre which was used for the filming of the movie Gladiator. On your way to the Gard’s capital you will pass Uzes, a small Roman town with an ancient centre housing a medieval castle surrounded by pretty medieval streets.
Plan your visit to Uzes on a Saturday to catch the market that passes through the town. With a small population of less than 10,000, our properties for sale in the Uzes area offer you a blend of history and sophistication as well as being situated in the heart of the Gard, where you may also want to visit Ales and Goudargues while you are in the area. Spacious properties suitable for B&B’s embrace the local character and often sit in several acres of land, your home in France is awaiting for you to discover the hidden charm of the Gard.
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