The 20 things to do in the Gard

Traveling south of France? Follow the guide, we take you to the Gard, the flagship department of the Occitane region.

Between the natural parks of Ardèche, the Cevennes and Camargue, the department of Gard is full of various activities for the holidays. From the beaches of Grau-du-Roi to the banks of the Gardon, you'll always find a corner to put your towel. Some of the most beautiful villages in France await you, in a preserved and exuberant nature. Do you want to create the ideal circuit for your stay? Follow our tips to visit the Gard and its many treasures!

1. Nimes

The department prefecture is THE city to visit the Gard starting with its chief place. With more than two millennia of existence, it is full of historical monuments.

Don't miss the arenas and the Maison Carrée of the vestiges of Roman domination in a remarkable state of conservation. Take a walk in the gardens of the Fontaine which house the source around which the city was founded. Mount up to the Magne Tower for a breathtaking view of the surrounding area.

2. The Pont du Gard

The Pont du Gard is one of the impossible places to do in the Gard. He is one of the only sites in France to benefit from both Unsco and Grand Site de France labels. The Gardon is the only example of a three-storey aqueduct still visible and the highest bridge built under Antiquity.

You can visit it alone or with a guide. A museum traces the exceptional history of the construction of the bridge. Several trails go through the site, offering different views and allowing you to discover local fauna and flora. After your walk, you can swim in the river for a well-deserved refreshing break.

3. La Grotte de Trabuc

Trabuc is the largest underground network in the Cevennes. On a one-kilometre course, you will discover no less than 7 rooms all more impressive than others.

The nail of the show? The cave where we observe the 100,000 soldiers, of the concretions whose origin remains a mystery today. The cavity is very well designed and enhanced by lighting on the different geological formations. And to go further, two underground safaris allow you to explore the network for 4 and 6 hours. A good activity for lovers of speleo who seek to do in the Gard.

4. Dead leagues

Visiting the Gard is also passing through Aigues-Mortes, one of the department’s flagship cities. The ramparts surround the city, the occasion of a beautiful walk on the round path with view on the Camargue and salins. In the center you will visit the chapels of the White and Grey Pénitents or follow a guided tour with theme. Gourmet rally, goose games, school in the Middle Ages, as many activities to do in the Gard with family.

And for discover the salins , board for a 1h30 ride aboard the small tourist train.

5. Beaucaire (abbaye of Saint-Roman, fortress)

Between Camargue and Provence, Beaucaire is a city of art and history built on the banks of the Rhone. Spread in its alleys and immerse yourself in the soft atmosphere of the south of France. After a terrace meal on Old Square, join the heights and fortress.

The visit is free of charge and offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area and the castle of Tarascon. A few kilometers, in the middle of nature, you will find a troglodyte abbey. Found in the rock in the fifth century, it is a unique place to visit the Gard otherwise.

6. The Camargue Regional Natural Park

The territory of the Camargue Regional Natural Park covers more than 100,000 hectares and 75 kilometers of coastline. For walkers and lovers of Camarguas traditions, visiting the Gard through this park promises a great playground! The diversity of landscapes is exceptional, between salt marshes, dunes, vineyards and rice fields.

Various thematic hiking routes are available. Follow the Camargue horse circuit and rice, or the pink flamingos and salt. Camargue Natural Park is one of the best places to visit in the Gard for bird watching. Ornithologists in grass will be able to give themselves to joy!

7. Cirque de Navacelles

Another exceptional place to visit in the Gard! One of the largest canyons in Europe, a true natural arena, awaits you in the middle of the Causses. At the outskirts of the village of Blandas, three caves allow you to embrace the whole circus.

Several hiking routes cross the site. Go from the village of Navacelles to the mills of La Foux, for a 2-hour walk to the waterfront. You will reach the resurgence of the Vis, which exits the rock as by enchantment after a long underground journey.

8. L’Abbatiale Saint-Gilles (Unesco)

The abbey is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a step on the path of Santiago de Compostela .

It was in the Middle Ages the fourth place of pilgrimage of the Christian world, after Jerusalem, Rome and Santiago. It is the first step on the way to the departure of Arles. After admiring the façade of the 12th century of Provencal Romanesque style, you will visit the choir and crypt.

9. Uzès

At the heart of the triangle Avignon-Nîmes-Alès, the city of Uzès is an ideal starting point for visiting the Pont-du-Gard. The city of art and history for its historical and architectural heritage, it welcomes you in a Provence and quiet atmosphere.

Set up on the Herbes square for the Saturday market or the terrace of a café a week. Observe the beautiful houses with arcades and the Fenestrelle Tower before visiting the ducal castle. From the Bermonde Tower, imposing dungeon of the 11th century, you will enjoy a beautiful breathtaking view of the city’s roofs.

10. The Bambouseraie of Anduze

Anduze’s bambouseraie is a unique place in Europe, ranked among the most beautiful gardens in France. This botanical garden is to register urgently on your list of the best things to do in the Gard. You will discover more than 1000 varieties of bamboo, rare flowers, remarkable plants and trees.

The layouts are original, for example a reconstituted Laoian village. You will walk in the middle of buildings with traditional lao architecture, in the middle of banana trees, taros, sugar canes... A decor of Southeast Asia in the heart of France!

11. Train in Vapeur des Cévennes

You dream of visiting the Gard in an original way? Take aboard the small tourist train for a trip to the heart of the Cevennes. Between Anduze and Saint-Jean-du-Gard, in the Gardons valley, this steam train winds in the heart of exceptional landscapes. It follows an ancient railway track, with a succession of tunnels and viaducts of all beauty.

During the trip, the driver and the locomotive engineer will invite you to the locomotive, and you will discover exhibitions telling the history of the train. You can enjoy it to make a stop and visit the Anduze bamboo!

12. La Roque-sur-Cèze

The village of Laroque-sur-Cèze is built on a rocky piton overlooking the Ceze. Dominated by its Romanesque chapel and its former castle, it is classified as the Beau Village of France.

From the centre you will have a breathtaking view of the Sautadet waterfalls, a must-see in the Gard. If it is not possible to swim in the waterfalls, a walk of a few minutes takes you to a small beach. An ideal place for a quiet afternoon with family or friends.

13. The Abyss of Bramabiau

This exceptional site is a must-see in the Gard. The river of Bonheur emerges from the mountain by a narrow cavity of more than 70 meters high.

Inside, you follow the thread of water on bridges on cliffs. You will be impressed by the vastness of the rooms dug into the limestone. After an hour of visit accompanied by a guide, you come out by a tunnel close to your starting point. You will see dinosaur prints discovered in 2006.

14. Le Mont Aigoual

From the summit of Mont Aigoual to 1567 meters above sea level, you will enjoy a panoramic view of 13 departments. In clear weather, it is possible to see both the Alps and the Pyrenees. The last manned weather station in France welcomes you, with exhibitions on climate phenomena.

To reach the summit, two choices are available to you: hiking trails or a quiet ascent by car.

15. Kayaking in the Gardon Gorges

You can't visit the Gard without going down the Gardon Gorges by kayak! This flagship activity gives the opportunity to meet in the middle of nature for a few hours of tranquility in a majestic setting.

Many companies offer kayak rentals, for descents between 7 and 30 kilometers. The river is quiet and accessible to all from 6 years old. A highlight of the show, you will pass under the magnificent Pont-du-Gard.

16. The Grau-du-Roi

The Grau-du-Roi is the seaside resort to visit in the Gard. A well-known holiday resort of all French, it offers many varied activities for holidays.

In addition to its beaches and its pleasant little port for a walk, the Seaquarium will delight both small and large. It hosts more than 200 marine species, through a responsible approach to the education and preservation of the seabed.

17. Cévennes bicycle

Here is an original way to visit the Gard! Between Thoiras and Générargues stations, you pedal on a vehicle that can accommodate up to five people.

You are on the railroad and in the middle of nature during a 6-kilometre round trip. The route runs along the river and lasts 1h30. You will cross several viaducts, including Mescladou, with its beautiful view of the Gardons cross.

18. The Lussan

A few kilometers north of Lussan is a picturesque site nestled in a green setting. The concluded are a succession of wild gorges dug by the Aiguillon, a small dry river in the summer.

From the car park, you will descend for 30 minutes along a path dominated by rocky walls dug from caves. You will reach the portal, a geological formation whose cliffs close almost above your head. You will follow the river bed to observe the giant pots, huge cavities formed in the rock. By continuing the walk, you will arrive at the Pierre Plantée, a 5.6-metre high menhir.

19. The villages

Visiting the Gard will lead you to some of the most beautiful villages in the country.

Among the wonders that the department counts, we advise you not to miss Barjac, Vènezobres and Aiguèzes . The last one got the label More Beau Village de France and the other two are not far away. Between colourful lanes, charming squares and fortresses that dominate them, they are a good idea for a day.

You can connect the three by car in just over an hour’s drive.

20. Culinary specialties

Visiting the Gard without tasting its fabulous products would be a heresy. Cévennes, Pelardon, chestnuts, honey, olive oil... This long list allowed the development of a wide variety of recipes that are all more delicious than others.

Start with a brandade of cod, before going to the Guardian of Bull accompanied by a good rice from Camargue. The region of Uzès specializes truffle and organizes many events to celebrate it. To water all this, Côtes du Rhône or Costières de Nîmes produce wines that bloom well the sun...

How to get to the Gard?

• By car : the Gard is a department well served by the road network. From Lyon, you will follow the A7 motorway until Orange then turn on the A9 to Nimes. This same A9 connects Montpellier to Nîmes in less than an hour. From Marseille, follow the A7 to Salon-de-Provence and the A54.
• By plane : to come to the Gard by plane, choose to land to Montpellier Airport or Marseille. Nîmes Airport does not offer direct lines to and from France. To find the best deals, use a flight comparison like Skyscanner. You can find tickets at the best price based on your departure date.
• By train : Nîmes Pont-du-Gard and Nîmes Centre stations allow you to come in less than 3 hours from Paris, and in about 20 minutes from Montpellier.

Where to stay in the Gard?

Depending on your wishes, you can put your suitcases in a gîte en Camargue or a guest room close to nature as in the Cevennes National Park . The coast as the King's Grau is ideal for renting an apartment or staying in a campsite by the sea.

To find the accommodation of your dreams, enter your criteria on a Compare hotels . This is the best way to discover the rare pearl and spend an unforgettable holiday!

So, what are you waiting to visit the Gard!