It takes just under 2 hours to get to Uzes from Aix and is well worth the visit. It’s a charming little town (pop. just over 8,000) which is unspoiled by modern developments. And it has a terrific Saturday market.
So what is there to do? We tried to visit the Ducal Palace (shut), then there’s the deliciously-named Musée de Bonbons (shut)…so we went to the tourist information office (also shut!). Perhaps this was because it was a Saturday, or it was January, or we were there around lunchtime….but it was wonderful to wander around and enjoy the town.
The medieval centre with its arcaded square is encircled by the Boulevard Gambetta. The Saturday market which has around 200 stalls winds its way around all these streets, past lots of enticing cafes and restaurants.
We just had a snack in a patisserie/Salon de Thé but if you fancy lunch, here’s a tip from Lucy Till, the wedding planner in Aix, who lived in Uzes for years and loves the town. She recommends Terroirs: ‘it’s right on the Place aux Herbes and has the best viewing position and sunshine to watch the world go by. Run by Tom and Corinne, the salads are great, it’s open all day and there is a great shop to buy wine and other local produce. They also ship’. http://www.terroirs-uzes.com/
Now, if you like Uzes enough to move there, a special chateau has come onto the
market…it’s the Chateau de Castille, and it’s special as it has five large murals painted by Picasso. Formerly owned by British art historian and collector Douglas Cooper who was a close friend of Picasso, the chateau is on the market for 8.9m euros.
Getting to Uzes: we drove via Avignon fairly early one morning and had a quick and easy journey; came back via Nimes which was very busy and hassly.
Website: http://uk.uzes-tourisme.com/ but be warned, they are advertising a calendar of events for last summer.
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