WINE ROUTE - WINES, VIDOURLE, VILLAGES

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The medieval town has amply earned its "Petite Cité de Caractère" label. The Roman bridge over the Vidourle, the squares with their arcaded houses and the terraces create a lively, authentic atmosphere. The climb up to the château fort (11th century) is very pleasant, and the view over the town exceptional. The interior of the château (Tour Bermond, chapelle castrale, educational workshops for children) is open to visitors in summer. The garden and covered walk are accessible all year round. A hub of trade between the Cévennes and the Mediterranean, the Saturday morning market is very lively. Buy your oysters or Pélardon and enjoy them on a café terrace, accompanied by a glass of local wine.

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The village boasts one of the finest châteaux in the Gard. Its origins date back to the 11th century. Saint-Louis and Louis XIII stayed here. Since 1529, it has belonged to the same family, who organize tours and tell the story of how the château has weathered the region's turbulent history. The village overlooks the Vidourle plain, offering breathtaking views of the Pic Saint-Loup, the Cévennes and the Aigoual. In 1929, an olive mill was set up, and its renowned olive oil has been awarded the "AOP Huile d'olive de Nîmes" label.

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On the outskirts of this charming medieval village, the Bon Temps quarries, ancient stone quarries, have supplied the stones for the Roman bridges of Sommières, Le Vigan and Aigues-Mortes over the centuries. Today, the site is no longer exploited. Today, the site is no longer exploited, but offers an exceptional backdrop for hiking and picnicking, a unique blend of history and nature. It's the scene of numerous summer festivities, including the annual jazz festival and the Rencontres de la Pierre.

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With its medieval origins, the village took off in the 18th and 19th centuries thanks to the creation of a large vineyard, as most of its bourgeois residences indicate. Climb up to Roc de Gachone, with its three mills and the remains of Guillaume de Nogaret's castle. A breathtaking view over the Vaunage plain to the sea! The Maison du Boutis (Boutis House) features an interesting collection of antique embroidery pieces inspired by vineyards. The Vinopanorama oenopole interprets the 27-century history of winegrowing in the area, from the first exchanges with Etruscan merchants. A treasure hunt is available for children.

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A village perched on a rocky outcrop, it was built in circulade (in the round). The beautiful caladées (cobbled) streets wind between the stone houses up to the feudal castle, dominated by its high tower. Legend has it that Saint-Louis stayed here.

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This pretty village backs onto the Lens massif, an ecological reserve. A must for the whole family: the interpretation trail "les Merveilles de la Garrigue du bois des Lens" offers a sumptuous view over the vineyards. After the village of Fontanès, on the road to Lecques, the Marian sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Prime-Combe appears in a magnificent setting in the middle of the garrigue.

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This charming fortified village is built on an escarpment overlooking the Vidourle river. A submersible bridge crosses the river, where the banks are perfect for a refreshing stopover. A charming, shady road follows the Vidourle to the entrance of Salinelles, where you'll find a Spanish colonial-style temple surrounded by holm oaks and pines. At the heart of the village is a Renaissance-style château with an orange grove. Below, you'll find a beautiful ensemble comprising a pond, a wash-house with washing stones, a spring and a noria. On the outskirts of the village stands the Romanesque chapel of Saint Julien de Montredon. In summer, it hosts concerts and exhibitions.

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The tour continues along a narrow road through vineyards, olive groves and evergreen oaks. Aspères is made up of a multitude of small hamlets. Crops and vines are the heritage of the monks who built and cleared the land, and whose monastery (remains) depended on the powerful abbey of Psalmody. Try out the digital vineyard interpretation trail, downloadable from the Rando Gard app.

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Charming 12th-century Romanesque church .

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Village of typical winegrowers' houses.

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One of the oldest villages in the Vidourle valley. The villa Salsinas and its church were mentioned as early as 844. A real nugget to be discovered by following the circuit dedicated to its preserved architecture.

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This is a village of medieval origin, as evidenced by the fortified gate surmounted by the guardroom, the remnants of the ramparts and the moat transformed into a garden. Also worth seeing are a Roman bridge dating from the 1st century and winegrowers' houses dating from the 18th century. Former quarries have been transformed into an open-air theater and rock-climbing area.

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