What to do in Uzès: 16 must-do activities
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Cathédrale Saint Théodorit, Tour Fenestrelle, Jardin Médiéval and the famous Duché. These are just some of the places that come to mind when you think of Uzès.
Situated between Nîmes and Avignon, the ducal city has built its reputation on its past and prestigious heritage. It's known for its architecture, picturesque streets and Tuscan flair, which makes it seem like Pisa... in the Gard.
What you may not be aware of is that, in addition to its breathtaking cultural offerings, Uzès has a lot more to offer visitors.
Wondering what else to do in Uzès, apart from visiting must-see places? You're in for a treat, as there's plenty to do and see.
Sport, relaxation, gourmet delights, gastronomy, crafts, thrills: there's something for everyone. Here's a selection of 16 must-do activities put together by the team at your hotel in Uzès.
1/ Uzès market
Located on the emblematic, shady Place aux Herbes in the town center, the twice-weekly Uzès market is quite simply the biggest in Occitanie. It is held on Wednesdays (local producers) and Saturday mornings (large Provencal market). It welcomes up to 200 exhibitors on Saturdays. A wealth of local produce awaits you on the stalls: fruit, vegetables, wines, olives, cheeses, Cévennes sweet onions, truffles, asparagus, pélardons, gariguette strawberries, charcuterie, flowers, soaps and more. Enough to awaken your senses and whet your appetite.
2/ Restaurants in Uzès
After a trip to the market, you're sure to want to eat! In Uzès, a town steeped in art and history, Gardois and Provençal cuisine is often the order of the day at the finest restaurants. Whatever your budget or tastes, you'll find something to satisfy your taste buds (La table d'Uzès, Le Vieux Café, Le Comptoir du 7, Café des amis etc.).
For wine lovers, wine tourism is on a roll. Wine tours and tastings take place at various châteaux around Uzès. Taste the AOP wines of the Duchy of Uzès. In moderation, of course!
3/ Haribo candy museum
"Haribo c'est beau la vie. For young and old alike." You're probably familiar with the slogan of the famous candy brand. But did you know that its factory is located in Uzès? Since 1996, a museum has been attached to it. Surrounded by tagada strawberries and marshmallows, young and old alike will appreciate the immersive visit. And the icing on the cake is... Haribo's famous candy machine at the end of the tour.
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4/ Brunch in Uzès
Brunch is an increasingly popular Sunday meal. Uzès is no exception. Several establishments offer a brunch to satisfy your sweet and savoury appetite: le Café des amis, Midi à l'ombre, Chez Cerise, La fille des vignes and more.
5/ Spa and massage in Uzès
After a day of sightseeing, especially if the sun is beating down on a hot summer's day, what could be better than a relaxing moment to recover from your emotions? How about a spa or massage? Several of the city's private establishments offer this type of service.
If you're more the type to contemplate the landscape in peace and quiet, head for the panoramic terrace of the Boutique Hôtel Entraigues. Grab a refreshment, sit back and contemplate the exceptional 180° view over the rooftops of Uzès and its valley.
6/ Candyland
Wondering what to do in Uzès? While there's no shortage of cultural activities on offer, you'll also find plenty to keep your children happy if you're visiting the Gard as a family. In summer, a must for children is the Candyland amusement park. Open to children aged 2 to 12, it features inflatable games, pedalos on the water, trampolines and electric go-karts.
The little plus? The park is located in front of the Haribo Museum. Enough to delight your offspring!
7/ Hiking near Uzès
While the Voie Verte is of course accessible to walkers, it's not the only footpath of interest in and around Uzès. Take advantage of the Vallée de l'Eure, for example, for a walk along a number of signposted GR trails. In the process, you'll take a leap back 2000 years. As you walk, you'll come face to face with Roman remains of the aqueduct that supplied Nîmes with drinking water from the Eure fountain.
8/ Accrobranche around Uzès
Near Uzès, in Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, enjoy accrobranche at Air de Nature. Nestled in a former sand quarry, this 3.5-hectare park offers a dozen courses and hundreds of workshops with zip lines. You can even jump 17m into the void (all safe, of course) and try your hand at archery.
9/ Golf in Uzès
Looking for a green and swing break during your stay in Uzès? Why not visit the local golf club? Open all year round, this gently undulating 9-hole (par 36) course will appeal to golfers of all levels. The complex has a putting green, practice and approach areas, as well as a pro-shop if you need to pick up some equipment at a moment's notice.
10/ Go canoeing and enjoy the Pont-du-Gard
Although it's not located in Uzès itself, you can't visit the ducal city without passing by the Pont-du-Gard. Located in the commune of Vers-Pont-du-Gard, 15 km from Uzès, the famous aqueduct built by the Romans in the 1st century AD has been a Unesco World Heritage site since 1985.
There's plenty to do. On the Gardon, of course, you can go canoeing. Not forgetting other water sports such as canyoning and paddle-boarding (usually departing from Collias). There's even a children's swimming area at the foot of the Pont-du-Gard.
In July and August, enjoy the famous Pont-du-Gard light and sound show. You can also take the "Mémoires de Garrigue" trail (1.4km) around the bridge.
11/ Bars and cafés in Uzès
Whether you're looking for a little black in the morning, or a late-morning or early-evening aperitif (sacred in the South), head for the terrace of one of Uzès' many bars and cafés. There's no shortage of them. A must, perhaps? The establishments on the famous Place aux Herbes, often nestled in superb arcades.
12/ Take a cooking class in Uzès
Take a stroll around the Place aux Herbes market, and you'll notice that local produce is very much to the fore. In Uzès, gastronomy has a strong presence. If you'd like to get behind the stove and whip up some tasty dishes, several of the town's establishments offer cooking classes (Le Pistou, Loggia, Les Truffières d'Uzès...). It's a great opportunity to discover the typical dishes of the area, and of Provence in general.
13/ Haras national d'Uzès
After market stalls and sweets, you're wondering what to do in Uzès? Head for the Haras National d'Uzès, one of the last four of its kind in France. Built in 1972, this temple to equestrianism boasts two stables with over 70 boxes, riding arenas and a covered riding arena. One of its missions is to provide training in the equine industry. The site also hosts events throughout the year (breeding, show jumping, eventing, driving, horse-ball, endurance, shows, etc.).
14/ Georges Borias Museum
Housed in the former 17th-century episcopal palace, this museum is dedicated to crafts (pottery, Uzès wardrobes...), history and archaeology. Since 1988, it has been named after Georges Borias, the artist and teacher who took over and enriched the museum in 1946. An entire room is dedicated to the writer André Gide, whose family was originally from Uzès. Temporary exhibitions are also regularly organized.
15/ Uzès Exhibition
Every year since 2022, Uzès Exposition has hosted a temporary exhibition of paintings and sculptures from various private collections for several months. This cultural event is held at the former bishop's palace in Uzès. Guided tours are organized for the duration of the event.
Need a little teaser to get you salivating? Check out this video on the 2022 edition from the Uzès YouTube page:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGb3HJEd-U8]
Exhibitions and artistic performances take place all year round at the Boutique Hôtel Entraigues, in the historic heart of Uzès.
16/ Pottery and ceramics at Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie
Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie is also the city of ceramics and, in the broadest sense, of crafts. Take a detour and discover the countless artists' studios (ceramists, luthiers, jewelers, leatherworkers, bookbinders, etc.). If you feel like it, take part in a ceramics workshop organized by one of the town's many artisans, who include some forty potters and ceramists. Finally, take a tour of the Terra Viva contemporary art ceramic gallery.
What to do in Uzès: 4 things to know
For more information, contact the Uzès tourist office.
With our list of activities above, you're sure to find something to suit your needs.
You can also visit the town's tourist office on Place Albert 1er. It's located in the heart of Uzès, close to the ducal castle (on the other side of the boulevard circulaire).
The staff will be delighted to provide you with information, advice and activities to suit your needs.
Good to know: the tourist office offers a range of passes - called Pass Up - to discover Uzès at reduced prices.
Address : 16 Pl. Albert 1er, 30700 Uzès
Telephone : 04 66 22 68 88
Don't miss these not-to-be-missed events
In Uzès, as in the larger towns nearby (Nîmes, Avignon), the biggest tourist influx is in summer (July-August).
This is often the time when we have our vacations, but it's not always the best time to come because it's so busy!
Depending on your interests and availability, it may be more interesting to discover Uzès at other times of the year.
Here are a few examples of must-see events not to be missed (in our humble opinion):
- if you like truffles, come in January for the truffle festival. It's a must-see event in the Uzès region, and even in France!
- Are you a fan of contemporary dance? Come and discover the Uzès dance festival in June;
- if you want to discover local traditions, don't miss the town's fête votive at the beginning of August!
What to do in Uzès: visit the surrounding area!
What to do in Uzès also means looking elsewhere. In the immediate vicinity, there are many tourist attractions well worth a visit (and even a little further afield, in Provence near Avignon, or in Nîmes).
We've already told you about the beautiful village of Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, renowned throughout France for its workshops and ceramics, but it has other serious competitors.
Here are a few examples off the beaten track in the Uzès region, to help you make up your own mind:
- The Dalle de Garrigues-Sainte-Eulalie features mammal footprints dating back 40 million years, a sight quite unique in France;
- The village of Montaren-et-Saint-Médiers boasts a Sarrazine tower (12th century) and a medieval château. You can go there to enjoy a view of Mont Ventoux and the foothills of Avignon;
- In Saint-Bonnet-du-Gard (halfway between Nîmes and Uzès), plan a hike through the Sernhac tunnels, dug by the Romans;
- the commune of Goudargues, nicknamed the "Little Venice" of the Gard, with its canal, small bridges and Roman remains.
Think about your accommodation
Finally, don't wait until the last minute to plan your stay and your visits. In high season, accommodations are often fully booked several months in advance, due to the crowds expected.
Finding accommodation at the last minute is not easy. In the heart of the historic center of Uzès, the Boutique Hôtel Entraigues, for example, offers an authentic and enchanting setting for your visit to Uzès.
This former 15th-century mansion, for example, boasts a panoramic terrace overlooking the city's rooftops, and a breathtaking view of the famous Fenestrelle Tower.
What to do in Uzès : FAQ
What outdoor activities are available in Uzès?
Uzès offers a wide range of outdoor activities, especially in high season. In the commune, you can take a stroll and enjoy the children's attractions offered by the Parc du Duché and Candyland. If you like cycling, the Voie Verte runs from the ducal town to Beaucaire over a distance of more than 30 km. Hiking enthusiasts will enjoy a stroll along the paths of the Vallée de l'Eure, while golfers can hit balls on the local golf course.
Near Uzès, try your hand at accrobranche in Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie. Water sports enthusiasts will love the enchanting setting of the Gorges du Gardon for canoeing, canyoning or paddle boarding. Just 5 minutes from Uzès, the La Bouscarasse water park is also a popular destination for children. Finally, climbing enthusiasts will be delighted by the via ferrata at Collias.
What can you do in Uzès in a day?
Here's a non-exhaustive list of things to see in Uzès in a day. In terms of cultural tourism, you can schedule visits to places that are emblematic of local history, such as the Duchy of Uzès, Saint-Théodorit Cathedral, the Fenestrelle Tower or the Jardin Médiéval.
At the same time, during the day, you can choose from a wide range of activities, including visits to museums (Haribo candy museum, Georges Borias), outdoor sports (golf, cycling, hiking), markets and restaurants.
What are the 10 most popular activities in Uzès?
In our opinion, these 10 daytime activities are a must: go to the Uzès market, visit the Haribo museum, go to the national stud farm, enjoy the Georges Borias museum, cycle along the Voie Verte, dare to hike the paths of the Eure Valley, play golf, enjoy the activities on offer at Pont-du-Gard, practice accrobranche and discover pottery and ceramics at Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie.