Delightful Uzès felt like home and continued to call us back

Delightful Uzès felt like home from our very first visit! We spent a month here in the south of France and whenever we felt overloaded from too much sight-seeing, Uzès always called us home. In the evenings as we planned out the next day’s adventure in Provence, we invariable gravitated to Uzès when we needed a break from being tourists. Just look at the peace that surrounds this view!

I feel like we explored every nook and cranny of delightful Uzès as it is an easily walkable little town. However, I am sure that there is much we missed and we already have plans to return again.

Delightful Uzès ‘ market is not to be missed

The market happens twice a week (7:30 until 1:00pm) and by far the Saturday market is the largest. On Saturdays, the market, which has an incredible array of goods, sprawls through most of the streets in the town.  If you are not staying in Uzès proper where you can arrive on foot, it is definitely advisable to arrive by at least 7 in the morning to secure a parking place.

Wednesday Market, Place aux Herbes

Our gite was to the east of Uzès and our preferred parking was at Place des Cordeliers on the western side, closest to the market center at Place aux Herbes. Traffic was at a slow crawl through town mid-morning on Saturday.  We were here in April and I cannot fathom how crazy the traffic on a summer Saturday might be.

The Wednesday market is more food orientated and definitely less frenetic. Place aux Herbes is the central location, though stalls do meander down other streets.

Sunday we discovered a brocante/flea market at the “grand surface” or shopping center where the Carrefour grocery store is located on the D981. It was so much fun with music and dancers!

Who needs a cicada wall decoration?

Where to eat in Uzès?

Our favorite place was Terroirs. The husband and wife team that own this restaurant are a delightful couple who are intent on you having the best dining experience possible.

Make a reservation, particularly if you want to sit outside on Place aux Herbes. However, don’t expect to be able to make a reservation on Saturday market day as seating is limited and is first come first serve. We dined en terrasse in the sunshine during the Wednesday market and thoroughly enjoyed people watching while we ate.

Lunch on the terrace at Terroirs, Wednesday Market Day

If you want breakfast or a light lunch, La Nougatine bakery is both dine in and carry out. Don’t miss buying their raspberry croissants  for breakfast! They are super popular.

La Fille des Vignes also had good food but the service was extremely slow the day we ate there. However, we enjoyed the terrace and the lovely weather while we waited.

More Shopping Favorites (Besides the Market)

Rue Saint-Jacques has several boutiques that we enjoyed. One in particular was CR Uzès Ceramiques. Two of their handmade flower pots made their way home with us. The display of pottery in front of the shop will definitely catch your eye, but be sure to wander all the way to the back of the store which opens to this lovely courtyard! The historic building details are charming.

If you eat at La Nougatine, you will exit the café onto rue de la République where we also enjoyed exploring the shops.

La Brûlerie Uzètienne on Ave Géneral Vincent has a nice selection of teas and coffees. Needless to say, both tea and coffee made their way into our suitcases.

Historic places to Explore

The Duchy or Duke’s Castle is in the heart of the delightful Uzès. You can explore it’s history here in English.

My favorite place was the Medieval Garden and King’s Tower.

This is not a large garden, think more along the line of a kitchen garden and herb garden. Created in 1995, the garden was inspired by the walled gardens of the Middle Ages. It was a peaceful place to visit and before we departed, we were given an herbal tea made from herbs grown in the garden. Lovely!

This view is the reward for climbing the tower.

Wonderful park for a picnic or to spend the day

La vallée de l’Eure à Uzès is a great park. The kids can play in a stream or throw a frisbee. There are Roman ruins and an aqueduct to explore. Or you can just walk the path and enjoy the views, the sound of the stream and bird song. We spent the afternoon but could have easily spent the day, especially if we had children with us!

Uzès definitely stole our hearts.

Find our favorite locations