Walking in Languedoc

Uzès is a town of some 18,000 people lying to the north of Nimes. Historically, it was seen as the capital of Uzège, one of the largest ‘regions’ in the Languedoc. Its roots go back to Gallo-Roman times, when it was known as Ucetia and an oppidum wad constructed. In 50 AD, the Romans decided to tap the source of the Eure to provide water for the city of Nîmes. They built a 50-kilometre-long aqueduct from Uzès to Nimes, parts of which still remain and can be visited as on on a selection of themed hikes, most notably to the Pont du Gard over the River Gardon.

Uzès was a Bishopric from the fifth century until the French Revolution. The Bishops were very powerful and even had the right to mint coins. The town possessed powerful lords from as early as the 11th century. Their loyalty to the Crown resulted in their being made viscounts, counts and dukes and, after the Wars of Religion, Uzès was made the First Duchy of France. In other words, the Duke of Uzès became first in line for the French throne after the royal family itself. Twenty-one Dukes of Uzès were killed or wounded in battle fighting for King and Country. The Duke of Uzès still owns the castle in the town centre, which has been the family residence for more than 1000 years.

Like so much of the department of The Gard, Uzès became Calvinist as the ideas from the Reformation came south down the Rhone Valley and The Regordane Way. A Huguenot stronghold, it was the fifth largest Protestant town in France at the time of The Religious Wars. Like so many of the region’s towns, it saw the destruction of all of its churches and temples. Roland Laporte, one of the key players in the conflict that became known as the ‘Camisard War,’ was betrayed and shot in Uzes after a tip off in August 1704.

Those wishing to learn more about this rebellion, and perhaps join a themed hike to explore further its history, can read our article on the conflict. There is much to be learned about Uzès from themed historical rambling and the hinterland of the Eure valley and the Gorge d’Alzon are a delight to hike, affording some spectacular views of the town.

From the French Revolution until the Industrial Revolution, the town thrived on its textile industry, producing woollen cloth, stockings and silk and employing 2000 of its townsfolk. The disease that hit the region’s mulberry trees was the death knell of Uzès prosperity. The advent of the railroad, as was the case with Languedoc as a whole, saw the region’s competitivity sadly lacking and the influx of cheaper goods from the North took its toll. The building of the railway station outside the town only served to reinforce the problem, and Uzès’ isolation. Nevertheless, its lack of economic development means that it has preserved much of its medieval charm in contrast to some other important nearby towns, such as Ales.

The region and villages of Uzège

Uzège, designated a part of the diocese of Uzès, comprised 193 parishes prior to 1789, corresponding to the north-east third of today's department of the Gard.

For ardent walker or inveterate rambler, the villages of Uzege, like Valcezard to the north, offer an abundance of historical interest and a fine interlude during a morning or a day’s hiking. Hilltop villages with their "castellas" or castle remains, their outdoor washrooms, and all surrounded fields of vine and lavender, make the Uzege area one of the finest to for all-year-round walking.

To the north west of Uzès, just east of Lussan, you can walk down to the Concluses gorge, if the weather is dry, and a fabulous view. Nearby is the tallest menhir in Languedoc, the “menhir de la pierre plantée” standing 5.60 metres in height.

The highest point in Uzege is Mont Bouquet, located west of Lussan, a limestone promontory measuring ten kilometers and an altitude of 629 metres at its highest point, known as ‘le guidon du Bouquet. The panoramic view that it affords over the whole of the garrigue is spectacular, and as well as The Cévennes and Mont Aigoual, on a clear day one is blessed with views into Provence and Mont Ventoux as well as the Alpes and Pic St Loup near the Mediterranean. Stashed away behind Mont Bouquet one finds the picturesque village of Bouquet, the charming hamlet de Suzon and the ruins of Le château d'Allègre.

Finally, tucked away in the bottom right hand corner of the region is the celebrated ‘Pont du Gard’, with all its majestic beauty, straddling the Gorge de Gardon. For those who know the area well, some of the trails are fabulous and offer the opportunity to enjoy the Roman aqueduct as very few see it.

If you like to get out onto the open road and drive around in your own car or in a hire car when on vacation, then the chance to combine this with some fabulous historical and cultural hiking can be found by Hiking Gard-Provence. We have chosen the nicest circular walks for you to do, most of which are tailorable to different levels of difficulty and experience.