Le Camp de César à Laudun l’Ardoise (25km)
It is located on a hill overlooking the Rhone corridor and the confluence of the Tave and Cèze valleys in the Gard department in the town of “Laudun l’Ardoise”. It is an ancient city that spanned 18 hectares. This village was occupied from the Iron Age (5th century BC) until the end of antiquity. On this site at the locality of “Saint-Jean-de-Rouzigues”, there are many traces of dwellings from different periods. The five-foot-thick perimeter wall reinforces the rocky outcrop into a defensive wall. Remains of a circular tower rise to more than fifteen meters. Ruins of fortifications testify to the desire to protect this plateau. You can walk through the remains of alleys, stairs and the remains of houses. An ideal visit for a leisurely stroll through history…
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Nîmes (26km)
The founding of the city of Nîmes dates back to Antiquity; it preserves remarkable monuments dating from the Roman period such as the Arena, the “Maison Carrée” and the Magne tower at the foot of which is the magnificent sanctuary of the Fountain. The rich ancient past has earned Nîmes the nickname “French Rome”. Nîmes is both Roman and Hispanic, Camargue and Cévennes, Languedoc and Provençal. Protestant stronghold since the 16th century, Nîmes boasts a particularly rich history and culture, which makes it a city with a strong identity. The exceptional historical and cultural heritage as well as the enhancement of its Roman architecture in the 20th century enabled the city to obtain the label of City of Art and History.
Nowadays, Nîmes is rehabilitating its old quarters and extending to the south. By entrusting its town planning projects to the greatest international architects, Nîmes “la romaine” is definitely turned to the future.
Avignon (27km)
Cradle of a prestigious contemporary theater festival, European city of culture in the year 2000, Avignon is endowed with multiple museums, an opera-theater, an exhibition center and a congress center at the cutting edge of new technologies integrated into the very heart of the “Palais des Papes”. Avignon offers many possibilities for visits, activities and events all year round and there is no shortage of pretty shops and places to discover “Provencal cuisine”, local specialties and “Côtes du Rhône” wines… All the beauties of Provence are close by. Hilltop villages of the Luberon and the Alpilles, wild Camargue, Roman towns, lavender as far as the eye can see on the Vaucluse plateau, reliefs of the “Dentelles de Montmirail” and “Mont Ventoux”. Let yourself be seduced by this lively and charming Provencal city!
Orange (39km)
Orange alone holds two important witnesses of the Roman era: the Triumphal Arch and the Ancient Theatre, monuments classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, the Theatre welcomes tens of thousands of spectators every year for various summer events, including the famous “Chorégies”.
Since June 2006, the UNESCO-listed “Orangeois monument” has become a world exclusive: it is not only the only ancient theatre with a stage roof, but also the only ancient theatre in the world that has preserved its stage wall. Thanks to its sunny climate, the city is surrounded by prestigious wines such as “Gigondas” and “Chateauneuf du Pape”. Come discover this lively city and at the same time meet a generous terroir and tasty products.
La grotte de la salamandre (39km)
By a magnificent road passing through Uzès, the Salamander Cave is a true natural fairy tale worthy of the most beautiful imaginary tales… The site is accessible by a lovely path but for people with reduced mobility it is possible to access by car directly (drop-off minute). Athletes can abseil from the cave (from the ceiling 50 metres from the ground…) with a guide, or by making a speleology baptism. For music lovers there are dinner concerts organized. We recommend this visit (duration about 1 hour) that will enchant you of course!
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (40km)
“Saint Rémy de Provence”, a small town in the Alpilles Regional Natural Park, invites you to discover its wealth: culture, heritage and festivals. In the Provençal capital of the art of living where Nostradamus was born, you will find: gastronomy, local products, olive oil, wines and vineyards, crafts, the Provençal market, artists, beautiful shops and art galleries, nature walks and hikes, places painted by Van Gogh, the Roman archaeological site Glanum, traditions: a Christmas in Provence, Transhumance, festivals and 300 days of sunshine a year.
Arles (41km)
Arles is crossed by the Rhône and lies between Nîmes (27 km to the west) and Marseille (80 km to the east). This town, whose inhabitants are called “Arlésiens”, is over 2,500 years old. Remarkable monuments were built during Antiquity in Roman times, such as the ancient theatre, the bullring, the Alyscamps or the Roman circus.
In 2008, the oldest known bust of Julius Caesar was discovered in the Rhône. Due to its important heritage, the city is classified as a city of art and history and its Roman and Romanesque monuments are inscribed on the World Heritage List of Humanity since 1981. Open to tourism which is the first activity of the city, it hosts many festivities throughout the year: in December «Drôles de Noëls», in April «the Easter Fair», the International Photography Meetings during the summer, as well as in September “Rice Festival”. The municipality obtained two flowers in the contest of towns and villages with flowers.
Les Baux de Provence (42km)
This city is classified as : “Site Remarquable du Goût”, “Plus Beaux Villages de France”. The “Baux-de-Provence” affirm their image as a prestigious site within the Alpilles Regional Natural Park.
The “Baux-de-Provence” are unique, magical in this extraordinary setting. However, the very essence that makes the charm and the perfume so special of the Provençal villages is there: the small squares, the shady terraces, the narrow streets and their shops.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape (43km)
It was the Popes who, during their installation in Avignon in the fourteenth century, revealed the terroir of “Châteauneuf-du-Pape”. During the reign of John XXII, the village became the summer residence of the papacy. As for the precious nectar elaborated in these places, it attains the rank of “Vin du Pape”. A consecration that opens the door to the great European courts.
A visionary in many ways, the winemakers of “Châteauneuf-du-Pape” shipped their wines in bottles in place of the barrel at the end of the 18th century. A new step towards the conquest of notoriety is taken. Conquerors, but also ahead of their time, the winemakers of “Châteauneuf-du-Pape” are at the origin of the system of the AOC (Appellation d’origine contrôlée), the “raison d’être” and the success of French viticulture. From the beginning of the 20th century, they were the first to impose strict and unprecedented production rules. The armored bottle is the setting of the wines of “Châteauneuf-du-Pape”. Created in 1937, it participates in their promotion and notoriety. It is also a collective mark.
