Route: Uzès to Collias
Area: Gard, Southern France
Date of walk: 25th September 2018
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 1.5 miles (Uzès town) and 9.4 miles (Uzès to Collias)
Ascent: 820 feet
Weather: sunny and hot
Today was the first day of a short walking holiday in the Gard region of France, which we booked through Inntravel. Our 3 day route will take us from hotel to hotel, ending at the famous Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct and a World Heritage Site
The first leg of our journey started in the old market town of Uzès, famous for its Saturday market. The town is full of many interesting and ancient buildings and as a result has become very popular with tourists. We were visiting late in the season and so this wouldn’t be an issue today
We started outside the tourist information office, where a free map is available. We followed an itinerary suggested by Inntravel which takes in the main sights. Note that the maps page only links to a map of the walk from Uzès to Collias and does not include the town walk
After a very pleasant meander around the beautiful streets of Uzès we set off on our journey to Collias, descending a flight of stone steps opposite the cathedral. We followed a quiet lane past an old mill through agricultural land and into an area of mostly evergreen shrubland known as garrigue. The views along this section of the walk were not extensive, but the flora provided interest, as did the hundreds of butterflies flitting around
Eventually we reached the top of the Gorges du Gardon, and the path took us along the ridge. The view down into the gorge was obscured by the woodland, save for one place where we able to make a short detour to a viewing point. Further along the ridge, Collias and its bridge came into view and we arrived at our destination, the Hostellerie le Castellas, where a hot bath soothed away the aches and pains of a long walk in the baking heat
Click on the icon below for the route map
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The small village of Arpaillargues near Uzès - we stayed overnight here and there was time for a short stroll around the village before our first walk tomorrow...
Next day, and the start of our walk from Uzès to Collias
Before we set off, we explored the streets of Uzès - it's a beautiful and historic old town and well worth a visit in its own right
The Bermond Tower, built in the 11th century, which is the keep of the Duke's Castle - it has never been attacked and is in perfect condition...
A few street scenes as we wandered around the old town...
There were very few people around, although this will change on Saturday as one of the great markets of France is held here every week, as well as a smaller one each Wednesday
It was time to be setting off for Collias, so we headed south out of the town
This isn't the Tower of Pisa - the leaning effect is caused by a wide angle lens - it's the Fenestrelle Tower, part of the Saint Théodorit Cathedral
We cross the main road which encircles the old town
The path descends towards the valley floor
The restored old mill of Gisfort
Beyond the mill the path follows a limestone shelf for a while
We cross a stone bridge over the River L'Alzon
Looking across to Le Champ de Mars
We pass by the outskirts of the village of Sagriès
An olive grove
As we leave Sagriès, the nature of the terrain changes from agricultural to uncultivated shrubland...
We climb into an area of upland shrub known as 'garrigue'
The area results from the gradual destruction over the last 6,000 years of the holm oak forest which once covered the region - the timber was used for fuel and the land was then used for grazing
The plants which have sprung up have adapted to the dry climate, and over 700 species may be found here, most of them evergreen
Looking back to Uzès
A few examples of the flora...
We pass by an igloo shaped stone storeroom
We arrive at the small town of Sanilhac
Some welcome shade by the town hall
After leaving Sanilhac we head for the Gardon Gorge
A swallowtail butterfly...
Some of the other butterfly sightings we enjoyed along the way
We pass through several vineyards
Looking back to Sanilhac
We enter into a protected area which fringes the Gardon Gorge (and keeps it out of sight for most of the way)...
Waymarking along the route
The gorge is to our right, unseen as of yet
After a lengthy stretch through the woodland, the gorge finally comes into view - a spectacular sight
The River Gardon below
The view disappears again as we continue along the path towards our destination, Collias
We pass through an area which has been fire damaged in recent years
The Gardon Gorge comes into view again
The arched bridge at Collias, and the end is in sight
Looking down to a couple of paddle boarders, who are no doubt bound for the Pont du Gard further downstream
We arrive in Collias at the end of the first day of our journey to the Pont du Gard - this is the splendid view of the church from our hotel room
There's time for a short stroll around the attractive village...
The River Gardon again from the arched bridge we'd seen earlier, and time to be heading back to our hotel for a well earned dinner
