Walking holiday in Provence: Gardon Gorge

Walking holiday in Provence - Gardon Gorge is a 2010 hiking odyssey on a Roman trail to Nemasus (Nimes); and as you appreciate things better when you have to work for them, you earn the right to participate in its Grande Finalé. So whilst most tourists see the Pont du Gard, you get to experience it as the culmination of your joyful endeavours.

Walking holiday in Provence - Gardon Gorge takes you along France's last untamed river as it sweeps its way from the Cevennes foothills across Mediterranean garrigues and deep into incised limestone valley. You discover its multi-faceted history as you follow an ancient hill-top trail dating back to Roman times. Following its path is tantamount to immersing yourself in a France best seller that has yet to be written - or maybe you'll literally contribute to its creation via your Blog?

Your learning curve acquaints you with two millennia of history in The Gardon Gorge, or the Gardonnenque as it is affectionately known locally, plus the human and physical geography of the garrigues and the Gorge. Like the River itself, you meander through the sun-drenched and sandy and stony soils of greater Nimes and its Costiere region, where arguably some of France’s best regional wines is produced on domains that date back to the Roman era. The latent botanist will be rewarded by camomile, cacti and fig, alongside the omnipresent and traditional olive and the vine.

Finally, for French market aficionados, Uzès has the Region's best Saturday-morning market, so you may like to start this tour accordingly.

Tour Summary

Venerable Vezenobres
You stroll the Gardon's steep embankment and bid farewell to the Cevennes foothills. You connect with the Roman trail at St Hilaire and enjoy a bucolic walk to the majestic village of Vezenobres, fig capital of Le Gard and medieval watering-hole.

The Villages of The Regordane
Today's trail laces together four fine villages and a remarkable fortified hamlet, the latter held by the Sarassins in the 7th Century. These are working villages that have been fiercely guarded from invaders for centuries. Second homes are a rarity as the locals have kept it for themselves. It's the peaceful and scenic garrigue at its best.

Sacred Circulade
You follow the trail to Roman Dions and appreciate the Devil's punchbowl at Espeluges before arriving in La Calmette with its ancient 'circulade,' or circular encampment design, that is a rare and much-admired architectural feature.

M
Majestic Meanderings
Russan would grace any picture postcard, and enjoys a fine vantage point on the banks of the Gardon. You may or may not see water here, as the river digs deep into the limestone and runs underground in dry weather. The Castellas point offers a remarkable view over a classic U-bend that could incite vertigo in the most ardent of cliff-walkers. Further on, you walk a broad ridge that takes you along an enchanting trail en route to the day’s objective.

Treasure Trail
Whatever season you walk it, today's stage is less a hike, more an adventure. You venture deep into the gorge and discover a river-side water mill, cliff-side chapel and magnificent grotto. Then you either hug the river-bed or enjoy the unmistakable aura of the Mediterranean Garrigue.

Towards Pont du Gard
Enjoy the best of the rest of the gorge before stumbling across a disused aqueduct and varying numbers of tourists depending on the season. We'll help you get the best photos and see it from various angles. When you have got your breath back, you continue your hike in search of other hydraulic remnants en route to a fine Gard village guilty of plundering the aqueduct for domestic building purposes.