Uzes and Pont du Gard

Saturday 2 August
After lunch we set off for Uzes which is a small town like most others in the area dating back to Roman times, however it is best known for its Medieval streets, castle and market square.

Walking along the streets you notice many features, particularly in doors and windows, dating back to the fourteenth century.

Features of the town include the St Theodroit Cathedral dating back to the eleventh century but rebuilt over the centuries.

The impressive Fenestrell Tower (the bell tower) was built in the twelfth century. It is a freestanding tower with windows and has the appearance of the Tower of Pisa.

The walls in the foreground once formed part of the city wall.

The Duchy of Uzes (Dukes' Castle) is another feature of the town.

This family castle is currently being restored.

In the centre of the town is the Place aux Herbes. Markets are held here on Wednesdays and Saturdays small shops and restaurants can be found in the buildings facing the square.

We arrived on a Saturday afternoon when the final stalls were being cleared away and an hour later the square was clear.

However that evening the Run of the Bulls was being staged throughout the town and the barriers were being erected in the streets as the bus left the town.

Our next stop was the spectacular Pont du Gard, part of a 50 km Roman aqueduct built in the first century to supply water to the City of Nimes. The three level aqueduct measures 50 metres high and crosses the River Gardon.

View approaching the bridge

Bridge detail

Not surprisingly the Pont du Gard is another UNESCO World Heritage listed site.

Dinner that evening was a Chaine des Rotisseurs menu. After the meal the ship sailed closer to view Avignon's best known bridge while the song, Sur le pont d'Avignon, was being played. However it was raining, so a few of us braved the weather to view the bridge before returning to the comfort of the Lounge. The entertainment that evening was a musical duo, La Strada, playing light classical music.