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Motorhoming in the Gard
Motorhoming in the Gard
One of the five departments of Languedoc Rousillon, the Gard is the eastern most of the four which touch the Mediterranean coast and has the smallest amount of coastline. This little window on the sea is dominated by the imposing fortress town of Aigues Mortes which has been inhabited since the 8th century. The impressive fortress, nearly perfectly square, with its ten gateways and six towers was built between the 12th and the 14th century. Grant yourself the time to take five minutes relaxation at the Place Saint Louis and perhaps taste the ‘fougasse’ de Aigues Mortes, a sugared brioche flavoured with orange flower, and then take a tour around the ramparts from where you will have a superb view over the salt planes separating the town from the sea and the region of the Camargue to the east, which you can visit while motorhoming in the Bouches du Rhône.
In the north of the department is the Valley of the River Cèze which descends from the mountains of the Cèvennes through scrublands and lavender fields before arriving in the fertile planes and irrigating the vineyards and cherry orchards in the well known Côtes du Rhône. Beautiful little villages perched on the side of the valley all the way along the circuit which follows the descent of the river, add to the pleasure of this splendid nature and you’ll discover some magnificent countryside by following the little country lanes which criss-cross the area.
Since 2000 years, Nimes has been the convergence of all influences and the meeting place of all cultures. Halfway house between Italy and Spain and between the mountains of Cèvennes and the River Rhône, it was here that the Romans created one of their most beautiful towns in the 2nd century. You will find a magnificent amphitheatre in Nimes and also a superb example of a roman temple ‘La Maison Carre’. From here you can visit the Pont du Gard and marvel at the wonder of this Roman viaduct built 2000 years ago. Originally built to provide Nimes with drinking water, the remaining 360m show the magnificent arches built in three tiers up to 48m high.
The Gard is well-known for its olives and for the perfumed oil produced from them. It is one of the best known truffle producing regions. These ‘underground’ mushrooms are real treasures which are searched out and dug up with the help of dogs and then sold for enormous amounts of money and are a real delicacy. A lot of the local specialities are served with the rice produced on the Camargue, delicious in its own right.
Find an Aires de Service in the Gard and continue your Languedoc Roussillon experience by motorhoming in the Hérault.
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