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To the Pont du GardA gastronomic walk in Roman Provence
The limestone hills north of the Camargue form the final fold of the Massif Central. At the western fringe of Provence, these secret, sun-scorched hills conceal tiny stone villages and the ancient duchy of Uzès. Cutting a deep, wooded gorge through the scented hills, the River Gardon slips between the graceful arches of the mighty Pont du Gard, one of the region’s Roman masterpieces. This relaxed walk, perhaps the most comfortable and gastronomic of all our walking holidays, follows attractive paths through these most Mediterranean of landscapes, where the air is perfumed with the scent of herbs, and buzzards and falcons soar overhead. To discover this secret region on foot is a delight, all the more so when you stay in high-quality hotels offering some outstanding cuisine (two boast a well-deserved Michelin star). The Pont du Gard is just part of the 50-kilometre-long aqueduct which in Roman times carried water from the source of the River Eure, near Uzès, to Nîmes. It is arguably the most impressive section, a testimony to the Romans' enormous engineering expertise, and is the largest surviving section of the aqueduct. As such, it has been designated a Unesco World Heritage Site. Necessary to carry the aqueduct across the Gardon, the bridge was built by the son-in-law of Emperor Augustus and is 273 metres long and 48 metres high, with 3 tiers of arches. The first level carried traffic, and was added to in 1743 to accommodate carriages, while the top level carried the water. This conduit is supported by 35 arches and has a gradient of just 0.4%: the difference in altitude between the source of the water and Nîmes is just 17 metres, which meant that the incline was only 34 centimetres per kilometre. The aqueduct took over a century to build, and was finally completed in the first part of the 1st century AD. Nights: 6
Starting point: Hotel du Général d’Entraigues (3*), Uzès. A comfortable, well-equipped and atmospheric hotel converted from a 15th-century aristocrat’s house complete with stone-flagged floors and vaulted ceilings. With a lounge, outdoor pool and panoramic roof-top terrace offering views of the town's many towers, there is plenty of space to relax. Enjoy refined cuisine in the hotel's smart restaurant, Les Jardins de Castille. The hotel is located opposite the cathedral. Day 1: your first day is free to explore Uzès. There are numerous monuments in the medieval heart of the town, including the elegant Tour Fenestrelle and the ducal palace. The streets are a delight to stroll around, with small craft shops under the arcades. Alternatively, a couple of circular walks lead through the countryside surrounding the town. Accommodation: Hotel du Général d’Entraigues, as above. Accommodation: Hostellerie le Castellas (3*), Collias. A
high-quality, beautifully appointed hotel where you will find a genuinely
warm welcome and Michelin-starred cuisine (with a superb wine list to match). Each bedroom is individually decorated,
with great attention to detail. There is a small outdoor pool. Accommodation: Hostellerie le Castellas, as above. Day 4: this final walk leads along tracks and country lanes lined with orchards and small vineyards to the spectacular Pont du Gard. You have time to visit the ancient bridge and the visitors' centre and to enjoy a leisurely picnic by the river before continuing alongside the aqueduct to the idyllic village of Castillon-du-Gard, set amid the vineyards. (12km, 4.5hrs) Accommodation: Le Vieux Castillon (4*), Castillon-du-Gard. This is undoubtedly the most beautiful hotel that we have ever discovered in southern France. Converted from several medieval houses, the hotel exudes character. The service is attentive, the bedrooms are exquisite, and there is a lovely terrace and outdoor pool, but the real highlight is the cuisine, well deserving of its Michelin star. A fitting climax to the holiday. Day 5: spend your final day relaxing by the hotel's panoramic pool, soaking up the restful atmosphere. Alternatively, a gentle circuit leads north-east from Castillon, above the Combe de la Roque Rousse Gorge and through pleasant woodland in which there are several good spots for a picnic. (6km, 2hrs) Accommodation: Le Vieux Castillon, as above. Walking chart: the chart gives the distance and an approximation of the ascents and descents involved each day. If comparing holidays, please note the scale of each chart as this can differ.
Extensions: if you are flying via the Roman city of Nîmes, why not stay over at the 3-star Hotel la Baume from where you can explore the best-preserved Roman remains in France? Take the Train and break your journey for a night in Paris on the way, staying at one of our favourite Parisian hotels. Read about one traveller's experiences in her personal travel diary. Other information: if you would like to see the brochure page, you can download this (and the pages for any other holidays you are interested in) by using our brochure creation system. You can also read our website travel diary for a personal account of the holiday. Similar holidays: Paths to Rocamadour (grade 1-2), Piedmont's Hills & Vineyards (grade 1-2), A Provence Wander (grade 1-2) Prices & travel 2008:
Recommended destination airports: Marseille, Montpellier, Nîmes & Avignon Extra night prices 2008 (extra nights can be booked at any hotel):
> Notes on prices > Any queries? Let us call you back  |
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Uzès' Tour Fenestrelle 
