Mas De L'Ormarins

In the heart of the Côtes du Rhône wine region, Mas de l’Ormarins is a charming village house just a 5-minute drive from Le Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of France’s most visited destinations.

Fly into Nîmes or Avignon Airports, both just over half an hour away, or take the fast train from Paris to Gare d’Avignon TGV or Nimes Pont-du-Gard (both stations are less than three hours from Paris via TGV).

Here you are in the heart of a bustling and authentic little village with a high-end restaurant, pizzeria and a bar selling good local food as well as shops within walking distance including the all-important bakery, well-stocked grocery store and a Farmer's market three mornings a week. Stroll along the medieval lanes as you come across the pretty clocktower and 19th century washhouses, then follow the nature trail to admire the quarries just north of the village that date back to Roman times. Look out for summer festivities and events including a regional music festival in July and August’s traditional bull-run!

A car is essential to be able to fully explore the region although cycling is popular here – there is a fantastic route between Remoulins and Uzès that passes through the village. Bike hire (including electric options) can be arranged in advance.

Le Pont du Gard (3km) is one of the great highlights of the region, standing proudly by the banks of the Gardon River. Visit the Musée du Pont du Gard or simply head down to the river’s edge for paddling and picnics – in the summer months the aqueduct is beautifully lit up in the evening alongside light and sound shows in July and August. Canoeing and kayaking by the historic monument is an amazing experience.

Elsewhere, spend time in the gorgeous town of Uzès (12km) with its picturesque twice-weekly market which takes place beneath the plane trees on Place aux Herbes. The historic centre will enchant you whilst Uzès is also loved for its gastronomy. It goes without saying that Nimes (33km) and Avignon (27km) are other wonderful days out with their rich historic heritage whilst Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (27km) hosts one of southern France’s most famous weekly flea markets.

Meanwhile, visit the highly regarded vineyards of the Côtes-du-Rhône wine region – from the wineries of Tavel (19km) and Lirac (22km) on this side of the Rhône river to the wine village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape (40km). The Duché d'Uzès and Coteaux du Pont du Gard are other local wine appellations to try during your stay.

A little further afield, visit the art galleries of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (44km) and Arles (45km) or venture into the captivating landscapes of the Camargue, even as far as historic Aigues-Morte (68km) and the Mediterranean beaches of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (75km).

Read more about Uzes

The beautiful market town of Uzès is somewhat of a secret gem in southern France. Staying close to Uzès allows you to embrace the region’s traditional ambience, rich heritage, artistic vibe and wonderful cuisine, not to mention the idyllic surroundings of medieval villages, forests, olive groves and Côte du Rhône vineyards.

There’s no better place to start off than Place aux Herbes in the heart of Uzès with its café and restaurant terraces, shady plane trees and historic ambience – it is said to be one of the most beautiful squares in southern France. It is also home to a fantastic market on a Wednesday and Saturday morning when traders take over Uzès’ iconic main square to showcase a wealth of delightful products. This is the perfect opportunity to buy specialities of the region – look out for pélardon goats cheese from the mountains, Cévennes honey, sweet onions, local olive oil, cod brandade de Nîmes, Camargue rice as well as so many seasonal fruit and vegetables. The market on Place aux Herbes dates back to the 13th century.

Uzès is also so loved for its historic lanes, elegant architecture, art galleries, inviting shops and excellent restaurants. Admire Cathédrale Saint-Théodorit d'Uzès and its unique round bell tower, visit the impressive Duché d’Uzès, then climb to the top of the medieval garden’s Tour du Roi for panoramic vistas. For a change of scene, just outside the town is La vallée de l'Eure for walking and hiking in glorious nature.

Of course, another great highlight of this region is the Pont du Gard, a grand symbol of Roman engineering and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a guided tour of this magnificent monument, follow the walking trail by the river, canoe beneath the aqueduct and enjoy atmospheric light shows on summer evenings.

Spend time pottering around picturesque French villages such as perched La Roque-sur-Cèze surrounded by vineyards, authentic Saint-Victor-la-Coste with its fortified château ruins and tiny Pouzilhac with its old ochre houses and cobblestone streets. Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie is just north of Uzès, the ceramics capital of France and home to enchanting lanes, pottery studios, galleries and La Musée de la Poterie Méditerranéenne.

Meanwhile, discover the many wineries and vineyards close to Uzès, part of the Languedoc-Roussillon wine growing region. From family-run estates and organic vineyards to large cooperatives, learn all about the great wines of the Pays d’Uzès and Côtes du Rhône.