- 22.05.2025
- Monuments and discoveries
Discover the culinary specialties of Uzès
Situated between Nîmes, the Pont du Gard, and the Cévennes, Uzès is a town of incredible charm, renowned for its heritage, its art de vivre... and above all its gastronomy! Between artisanal confectionery, traditional products, and emblematic dishes of the Gard, the terroir of Uzès is meant to be savored just as much as it is explored.
Sit back and relax on a restaurant or café terrace, and let yourself be guided through sweet and savory specialties from Uzès.
Key takeaways:
- Licorice, the iconic confectionery of Uzès, is a true madeleine de Proust.
- The town is rich in sweet specialties such as figatine and almond croquants.
- Salt cod, traditional Nîmes meat pie, and gardiane are among the culinary specialties.
- Olive oils, tapenades, cheeses, cured meats, and Duché d'Uzès wines showcase the rich local produce.
- The essential Place aux Herbes market is brimming with local products and opportunities to meet producers.
- To enjoy all of this, head to the restaurants and artisan boutiques of Uzès... and for a place to stay, choose a hotel in Uzès right in the heart of the town.
Discover Boutique Hôtel Entraigues in Uzès
Book your stay at the best rate at the Boutique Hôtel Entraigues:
Introduction to the flavors of Uzès
Uzès, the first duchy of France, offers much more than just beautiful architecture. Visiting Uzès also means discovering typical Southern culinary specialties, shaped by a generous terroir between the Cévennes and the Garrigue, where olives, vineyards, herbs, and sun-drenched fruits create a landscape of authentic flavors. Things to do in Uzès and where to taste these culinary specialties?
The gastronomic heritage of the Duchy
The Duchy of Uzès boasts a noble... and delicious history! For centuries, local producers have perpetuated culinary traditions. This gourmet destination draws its inspiration from both Mediterranean influences and Cévenol know-how, resulting in a generous and high-quality cuisine.
The iconic sweets of Uzès
Licorice from Uzès
It is impossible to mention Uzétian specialties without citing licorice! This is where the famous Zan, a cult confectionery made from licorice root, was created. While the Haribo brand now handles production, local artisans continue the tradition of artisanal licorice, which can be enjoyed in pastilles, candies, or sticks.
Figatine
Less well-known but equally delicious, figatine is a pastry made with dried figs, almonds, and sometimes honey or brandy. A typical confectionery to take home or enjoy with a coffee on a terrace.
Croquants and other sweets
Almonds, hazelnuts, candied fruits... In the Gard department, they are a must-try! Croquants d’Uzès are deliciously crunchy and fragrant. You will also find calissons, nougats, and other sweets featuring southern flavors.
Traditional savory dishes
Salt cod brandade
Originally from Nîmes, brandade de morue (salted cod brandade) is a must-have on tables in Uzès. Prepared with desalted cod, local olive oil, and garlic, it is enjoyed hot or cold, sometimes gratiné, or simply spread on bread.
Le petit pûté nîmois
Another typical savory specialty of the region, the petit pûté nîmois is an individual pie filled with veal and pork, enhanced with spices. A perfect snack on the go, or as a starter in the city's restaurants.
La gardiane de taureau
A typical Camargue dish, gardiane de taureau (bull stew) is also a staple on tables in the Gard. This dish is slow-cooked in red wine (sometimes from the Duché d’Uzès appellation) with olives, herbs, and vegetables. It is the ultimate concentration of local tradition and flavor.
Local produce and farmers' markets
Olive oils and tapenades
The Uzès region is rich in olive groves: olive oil is truly an art form here. Taste a Nîmes PDO olive oil, whether mild or robust, and treat yourself to black or green olive tapenades. An iconic product of the Uzès terroir.
Cheeses and cured meats
Pélardon from the Cévennes, sheep's milk tommes, dry sausage, local hams: local cheesemongers and delicatessens will introduce you to another facet of our culinary heritage.
Duché d’Uzès wine
Duché d’Uzès wines, holding PDO status since 2013, offer aromatic whites, deep reds, and fruity rosés. These wines from the Gard, born from a sun-drenched terroir, wonderfully complement all the dishes of the region.
The market on Place aux Herbes
This is the beating heart of the town! The market in Uzès, held every Wednesday and Saturday, is a must-attend event for discovering local products, producers, colors, and aromas of the region. You will find everything: fruits and vegetables, oils, wines, cheeses, spices...
Where to taste these specialties in Uzès?
Recommended restaurants
The city is full of restaurants that showcase regional products. Some offer bistronomic cuisine, others a more traditional approach, but all share a passion for great taste and local producers.
Local shops and artisans
Delicatessens, wine cellars, artisan confectioners, and producer shops line the streets of the center. Perfect for bringing a little piece of Uzès back home with you.
Staying in Uzès for a gastronomic immersion
To combine culinary discovery with charming accommodation, stay at the Boutique hôtel Entraigues, right in the heart of town. With its view of the Saint-Théodorit Cathedral, its elegant rooms, and its immediate proximity to the market, restaurants, and local producers, it is the ideal place to experience the flavors of Uzès to the fullest.
FAQ
What are the typical sweet specialties of the city?
The main ones are liquorice, figatine, almond croquants, and other artisanal confectionery made with regional ingredients.
Where can you buy artisan licorice in Uzès?
In confectionery shops and downtown boutiques. Some shops even offer manufacturing workshops.
What are the traditional savory specialties of the Gard department?
Among the best-known: brandade de morue (salted cod puree), petit pâté nîmois, and gardiane de taureau, all served in the restaurants of Uzès.
Which market should you visit to discover local products?
The market in Uzès on its famous square, held on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, is the most famous. There you will find seasonal fruits and vegetables, cheeses, oils, wines, and much more.