Maison de L'Ecrivain is located in the historic town of Uzès in the Gard department of Languedoc-Roussillon.
It’s set down a narrow and traditional road, a 3-minute walk to the nearest boulangerie and a little further to a small supermarket. It’s a fantastic location - just wander up the lane for around 400m and you will reach the Place-aux-Herbes, Uzès’ central square with pavement cafes and restaurants under the beautiful arches, a fountain as well as the twice-weekly market. Indeed, the Wednesday and Saturday morning market is a must-see with vibrant colours, flowers, wine, olive oil, honey and a wealth of fresh seasonal produce from across the region.
Uzès is classified as a City of Art and History and there is such charm to discover amongst its narrow lanes, boutique shops, elegant squares and beautifully preserved historic buildings. Part of the Duchy of Uzès, climb to the very top of the Bermonde Tower and look out to the glorious countryside views around the town. The iconic Fenestrelle Tower is another example of the town’s wonderful architecture and one of Uzès’ most important landmarks.
As well as soaking up the enchanting atmosphere as you live like a local in Uzès, there is so much to visit close by. One of this area’s most famous sights is Le Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a perfect spot for picnics or the most adventurous of guests can hire canoes and kayaks to sail down the Gard river, perhaps continuing on to the incredible Gorges du Gardon, a nature reserve which is also ideal for hiking, rock-climbing and mountain biking. Le Pont du Gard is around a 15-minute drive from central Uzès, heading towards Avignon.
Of course, the small city of Avignon (40km) is another lovely place to discover with its busy markets, enticing restaurants and historic sights including the Palais des Papes and Saint-Bénézet bridge, two more UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Nîmes is also within easy reach, around half an hour by car, with its fascinating Roman history and one of France’s best preserved temples, Maison Carrée, as well as a bustling indoor market and many excellent places to eat.
There are plenty of pretty villages and towns scattered across the Gard department and beyond. Nearby Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, a centre for ceramics, is a village of great Provençal charm or head a little further to the steep narrow lanes of La Roque-sur-Cèze, classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’.
Aiguèze, around an hour away, is another idyllic spot on the banks of the Ardèche river or drive to Anduze, 50km by car, and take a steam train ride through the incredible Parc National de Cevennes.
The Region
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.
