Local Area Information
SUGGESTED TRAVEL EXPERIENCE
Day 1
NIMES - 21 km south of Montignargues (24min)
The ancient Roman city of Nimes at the heart of the region also holds the title of being France's hottest city. Nimes to this date houses many roman sites of interest including the Maison Carré at the centre of the city and Les Arènes the ancient Roman arena which to this day is still in use for concerts and Corrida (bull fighting). The city itself is an entwinement of small boutique lined streets and boulevards, which serve as an excellent respite from the ever sunny climate. Nimes is also the famous birth ground of the material we now know as jeans or denim. It originates from a blue material first seen in Nimes and the terminology denim comes from French saying "de Nimes" or of Nimes. The popularity of Nimes is ever increasing and with the recent introduction of Ryanair flights to the city's airport from London Stansted, the city will become ever popular in the future.
You can use the train in Saint-Géniès-de-Malgloires (4km away) to travel to center of Nîmes in 15 minutes.
Day 2
UZES - 25km east of Montignargues (26min)
At the centre of the town is the "Place aux Herbes" which comes to life with rustic charm every Wednesday morning and all day Saturday as it hosts the regions famous Provencale market. Whatever you want can be found here from olives to wine and fresh fish to cheese, whatever it is you want the market at Uzès has it all.
Day 3
PONT DU GARD - 30km east of Montignargues
"An astonishing sight.....", "One of the world's best testimony's to the greatness of the Roman Empire." These are some of the descriptions given to the Pont du Gard and none will come close to describing this truly great feat of engineering when you actually stand staring in awe. The Pont was originally an aqueduct which carried drinking water from the springs at the Fontaine d'Eure in Uzès across the Gardon river to Nimes. The bridge itself is built from gigantic blocks of stones, some weighing as much as 6 tons, which were hauled into place by pulleys, wheels ... and huge numbers of slaves. Today it stands there with great majesty and is honoured with the recent opening of a visitors' centre where one can learn everything they would need to know about the Pont du Gard.
For the more energetic of you, Canoes can be hired in near by Collias enabling a wonderful 2 - 3 hour trip along the gorge and an alternative view of the Pont du Gard as the river passes beneath.
Day 4
THE CEVENNES - 30km north of Montignargues
The Cevennes is a paradise for wild nature lovers. Ramblers will enjoy walking through the Cevennes National Park footpaths and cool off in the numerous small streams and rivers. Many caves can be visited (Grotte Trabuc, Grotte de la Cocaliere, Grotte des Demoiselles, etc...). Family will also enjoy a ride on an old steam train in St Jean du Gard.
The Cevennes is the historical heart of protestant church, where the French protestant hides during the 17th century, the "Musée du desert" is recalling of that times.
Day 5
AVIGNON - 63km north east of Montignargues (1h)
Avignon is still contained within its 14th century city walls, with 4km of beautifully preserved ramparts with 39 towers and nine gates. Looming from within is the fairytale centrepiece of the Palais des Papes and the golden Virgin gleaming at the top of the cathedral of Notre-Dame-des-Doms. More recently Avignon has been famed for its excellent wine, which is illustrated in the produce of Chateau Neuf du Pape, arguably one of the finest Wines in the World.
Avignon's secrets are becoming more accessible to all. Recently the city has re-styled itself in response to the crowds, and the new arrivals from the TGV train station opened in 2001 after the completion of the South of France extension, and the recently opened Eurostar direct route from London Waterloo to Avignon, avoiding Paris, has allowed the jewels of Avignon to be experienced by all.
Day 6
AIGUES-MORTES - 55km south of Montignargues
The medieval walled city was developed by Louis IX as a result of him wanting to set out on a crusade from his own region's port rather than using then Provençal Marseille.
The monumental splendour of the ramparts, punctuated by massive towers, is particularly striking and makes for a great walk. Once within the walls, the town has more than its share of souvenir shops and in summer is a very popular destination with day visitors.
THE CAMARGUE - 50km south of Montignargues
The great flat region of marsh, pasture, salt-water ėtangs (lakes) and sand dunes that nestles in the delta between the Grand and Petit Rhône is one of Europe's major wetlands, a vast protected area of 140,000 hectares. Eerily beautiful, it is a wonderland of flora and fauna: purple herons and pink flamingos; black bulls and grey ponies, wild boar; eagles and kites; bulrushes and samphire.
With the decline of religious establishments in the 16th century, the Camargue passed into the hands of cattle and horse raising Gardians, descendents of whom, dressed in black hats, high leather boots and velvet jackets, still today herd small black fighting bulls on horseback. The area is still dotted with white, thatched Gardians' cabins, with their characteristic semi-circular end, set against the Mistral.
Day 7
SEA Front : Le Grau du Roi - Port Camargue
ACTIVITIES
Festival and "Feria"
The Feria in Nimes takes place in June (Pentecote) and in September (Vendange)
Golf:The region has over 300 days of sun, which guarantee an exceptional weather to play golf all year long.
Nimes Vaquerolles
Nimes Campagne
Uzes
La Grande Motte
Canoeing:
Kayak Vert, 30210 Collias 04 66 22 84 83
Boat trip
« The Blue Line » 04 66 87 22 66
Sea Trip in Le Grau du Roi
Horse riding:
Poney Trekking Aigues Mortes 04 66 53 86 89
(Aigues Mortes, Ste Marie de la Mer) or
Centre equestre de l'oregon in Uzes (Quartier de Grezac) 04 66 22 16 25
Watersports (windsurfing, sailing, waterskiing, scuba diving)
In Le Grau du Roi/ La Grande Motte/Port Camargue
Beaches :
Espiguette beach is huge but has no lifeguard. Boucanet beach long (sunbeds, umbrella or pedalo can be rented)
Kids activities
Haribo Museum in Uzes (Pont des Charrettes), 04 66 22 74 39
The little Steam train (St Jean du Gard),
Seaquarium in Le Grau du Roi 04 66 51 57 57
Donkey Ride in Le Vigan or Poney -trekking in Florac
Water parks
Amigoland in Le Grau du Roi(rond point de l'Espiguette)
La Bouscarasse in Uzes(on the D981) 04 66 22 50 25
Aquatropic in Nimes (39 Chemin de l'Hotellerie,near motorway) 04 66 38 31 00
Tennis:
Les "Hauts de Nimes"
Wine Tour
