Thursday, October 3, 2024

Pretty town in Southern France is a hidden gem with a rich history

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France is one of the most popular holiday destinations for UK tourists, with many visitors enjoying its relaxed way of life, beautiful mix of surroundings and good food.

However, whilst the southern part of the country is also known for having warm weather, many cities in the area, such as Marseille and Bordeaux, can be crowded.

To help tourists avoid crowds on their next holiday to France, Laura Longwell, a tourism expert from the blog Travel Addicts, recommended they take a visit to Uzès, stating it has a history that can be traced back to Medieval times.

She explained: “The old town of Uzès is ringed by circular streets. In the Middle Ages, these streets were walls designed to protect the Duke’s Castle at its heart.

“Visiting the town, you can still see towers, medieval gardens, the castle, and streets that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in history about 800 years.”

Located around an hour and a half away from Montpellier, Uzès is a small commune with a population of around 8,400 residents.

Originally established during the Roman era, the original purpose of the town was to supply water to neighbouring Nîmes via aqueducts.

Today, a lot has changed in the town, however, visitors can still find plenty of remnants from the past, including the Uzès Cathedral, which was built during the 17th century.

However, Laura also noted that Uzès is a good place to visit to experience the French way of life, recommending that tourists looking for good food and souvenirs visit the markets held in the town.

She added: “On market days – Wednesday and Saturday – much of the town feels taken over by the market sprawling through the streets, though it is centred around the Place aux Herbes.

“Wednesday is focused on food, including locally grown produce and specialities. The Saturday market adds flowers and household items, such as linens, housewares, clothes, and jewellery.”

Finally, tourists looking for something a little more unique to do during a trip to Uzès were advised to take a trip to Musée 1900.

As the name would suggest, this museum focuses on what life was like at the turn of the 20th century, housing more than 3,500 items from the era.

These include cars and motorcycles, agricultural items, furniture and even a variety of vintage storefronts that make up a street.

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