Uzes Attractions

In Uzès, a short way east of the Esplanade is the Place aux Herbes, the beautiful main square of the town, shaded by plane trees and adorned by its fountain, which is mainly overgrown. All round the square are medieval houses with arcades. On Saturdays the market takes place here.

In Uzès, opposite the northeast corner of the Château Ducal is the entrance to the so-called "crypt", an Early Christian cult chamber hacked out of the rock. On the walls in half-relief are the figures of John the Baptist and an Orans (a figure praying with outstretched arms).

In Uzès, the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall) was erected in 1773 under Louis XVI. The facade facing the castle still shows the elegance of time when it was built, while the north front, where the main entrance is situated, was renewed about 1900. The facades of the courtyard are broken up by pillars. The view of the ducal castle through the wrought-iron grille is delightful.

In Uzès, opposite the bishop's palace stands the Hôtel du Baron de Castille, a classical building with an elegant pillared facade (18th C.).

The Palais Episcopal is the former Bishop's Palace (Place de l'Evêché). Today the lawcourts and the library are situated here and in the second story is the Musée d'Art et de Tradition de l'Uzège (Museum of Art and History of the region of Uzès) with exhibits of art, ethnology, prehistory and natural history, as well as mementos of the writer André Gide, whose family originated from Uzès.

On the southern edge of the Uzès Old Town, in the Boulevard Victor-Hugo, is the Church of St-Etienne, a large Baroque building (1765-78). The tower standing alongside, with a square design, dates from the 13th C.

The former castle of the Dukes of Uzès was built in various stages from the 11th to the 17th C., but was again altered in the 19th C. In the inner courtyard the Renaissance facade between the keep and the chapel tower deserves particular attention; it is divided by pillars and decorated with relief medaillons. There is a good panorama from the Tour Bermonde (the tower was certainly built in the 11th C. but did not receive its balustrade until 1839).

Haras (stud-farm) founded in 1972, the Haras d'Uzès is one of 23 French national stud farms and has in excess of 70 horses of different breeds, including Arab and English. It is also used by long-distance horse riders.

In Uzès, Musée 1900 at Arpaillargues displays an attractive collection of old cars, motor-bikes, carriages, agricultural tools and machines, as well as cameras and toys.