View over Uzès, Tour

View over Uzès, Tour Fenestrelle, the former Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace in the background © Destination Pays d'Uzès Pont du Gard, Florence Gay Evening on the Place Aux Herbes is magical with twinkling lights in the plane trees former 17 th century Bishop’s Palace is now a museum with an archaeological collection from pre-history to the Gallo-Roman period, and a fascinating collection of artefacts depicting the life of Uzès and its people through the centuries. Jeweller Bénédikt Aïchelé Painter David Jamin and there are numerous galleries and ateliers in the centre. Jeweller Bénédikt Aïchelé has stores in Paris and Brussels, but it’s Uzès where he is inspired by the light “it’s not like anywhere else” he says, “Even in winter, it brings out the colours of the day and puts you in a good mood.” Painters David Jamin and his daughter Lola, love Uzès’ laidback ambiance and welcome visitors to view their art in a gorgeous gallery in a stunning old building. The town once had ramparts, but they were destroyed by order of King Louis XIII and his chief Minister Cardinal Richelieu as part of their campaign against Huguenot strongholds. Where the ramparts once stood is now a wide boulevard dotted with a few of the ancient towers that survived the upheaval. Lined with shops, bars and restaurants encircling the inner ancient town, look out for the Tour Remains of the Roman tunnel which fed water along the Pont du Gard and into Nimes, Eure Valley Fenestrelle, a 12th century bell tower six storeys high with a coloured tile roof. It’s unique in France though common in Italy, and was once part of a Romanesque cathedral that was ransacked by the Huguenots. Next to it is a 17 th century former Cathedral (now church), from where there is a tremendous view over the Eure Valley along the esplanade. And next to that, the A more modern must-see is the Haribo Museum on the outskirts of Uzès, as it’s here that the sweet things that please the sweettoothed around the world are produced. There’s also the Musée 1900, just 3km from Uzès in the town of Arpaillagues, which has an eclectic collection from the beginning of the 20th century, including cars, horse-drawn carriages, fire engines, tractors and objects of everyday life - a whopping 3700 items! Veer a little further into the countryside to discover the lush Eure Valley, where you’ll find the perfect place to picnic in nature, amongst remnants of Roman tunnels which once carried the water to the Pont du Gard and on to Nimes. Foodie Uzès Uzès embraces art de vivre, and there are so many great restaurants it’s hard to know where to start. In the old town Les Terroirs Café life on the Boulevard where the ramparts once stood in Place aux Herbes has fabulous food and a view over the famous fountain. Nearby, restaurant La Villa Curti with its vine covered courtyard, is like taking a holiday for a couple of hours! The Vieux Café on the plane tree lined boulevard has a totally different vibe, great for people watching beer and tapas. And the Bistro du Chai across the road is utterly delicious. Opened in summer 2025 it’s gained a stellar reputation with the locals - in a town that already has a great choice of restaurants, that’s a real achievement. For something a bit different, take a 15-minute drive on the Pont du Gard route to the 12 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 13