It’s now into July, 2018, and about 20 minutes drive south of our Rochegude farmhouse AirBNB, is the village of Lussan. A further 20 minutes south lies the wonderful town of Uzes and gateway to the Pont du Gard.
We had visited Uzes before, but would never pass up an opportunity to go there on market day in particular. But Lussan, was new to us, a walled village standing up on a rocky outcrop, and the main road a bypass to the west of the village.
Uzes
Sitting by the Gard river, Uzes was a Roman town supplying water via the Pont du Gard to the Roman centre of Nimes, some 50kms to the south. Uzes is a gem and a big favourite of ours.
We have visited it out of season in October, autumn in the air and with no market, it’s a lovely peaceful ancient town to wander and admire. In July and on a Saturday Market Day, the old town still has all its history on view but it’s a bustling and thriving place to enjoy.
Coming by car from Rochegude to the north, we ventured as close to the centre as we dared and found a car park . We blessed the Road Map App that pin pointed our parking place, and walked into town.
Uzes like many French towns is a great place to wander, so much wonderful history but also a thriving centre for today. On market day, you want to do the shopping, then sit down at a cafe for a leisurely lunch and just watch the goings on.
Lussan, Fons sur Lussan and Les Concluses
Lussan and Les Concluses
Driving south from the Ceze, you come up onto the plateau, then in front of you arising from the surrounding countryside is Lussan, perched on its rocky outcrop. Immediately one can see what a great defensive position it must have been, and you have to make time to turn off the main road and explore.
We enjoyed looking around Lussan, in season there are a few restaurants and cafes, but walk around the walls, check out the Church and get ready for our hike down to Les Concluses .
Les Concluses
About a twenty minutes 7km drive from Lussan is the Gorge of l’Aiguillore and Les Concluses. We decided to make this a half day hike, taking lunch to fortify us, you hike down and then back up the gorge to the car park.
Like in many similar limestone areas, here the river has cut down into the Gorge l’Aiguillore and has then, “ disappeared underground”. The path down into the Gorge is well maintained and is a modest gradient. It’s a steady plod down, and the return is equally steady but inevitably a bit longer.
The hike down is well rewarded with great views on the way, a prospect for raptors if lucky, and the rock formations on arrival are amazing.
If the weather has been wet, then great care should be taken.
Travels with My Wife 