Travel & Antique Sourcing in Uzès, France
Uzès, a perfect southern French town. Photo credit Office de Tourisme.
Tucked into the garrigue-scented hills of Gard, this small medieval gem has long been a well-kept secret among those lucky enough to find it. Situated just 25 minutes north of Nîmes and the Pont du Gard, and at the base of the Cévennes mountains, there is much to explore.
I like to stay in Uzès as I find it to be a perfect location to explore the brocantes of northern Occitanie and Provence, and all of the the very best of both these regions. As the founder of Trouver French Antiques — where every piece is chosen to honor beauty, craft, and history — I've long relied on this corner of the South of France as a sourcing base for the season's most extraordinary brocante finds.
A Town That Glows: History, Architecture & Charm
Elegant facade the Duchy d'Uzès, photo by author.
Uzès is home to the oldest duchy in France, and is still the residence of the Dukes of Uzès, owned by the Crussol family for over a thousand years. When you see their royal standard flying above the tower, you will know they are home.
Tours of the Duchy of Uzès typically include guided visits in French. Tickets can be purchased at the gate and it is best to ask your hotel about the seasonal tour schedule, and can place a phone call to request a guide in English, if available.
Right next to the Duchy is the lively the Place aux Herbes, which holds its weekly market on Saturday mornings and is not to be missed.
Photo credit Office de Tourisme.
The Place aux Herbes and the surrounding streets hum each week as towns people fill the plaza. Here you will find some of the finest local produce in the region — fat olives, truffle-flecked cheeses, spring asparagus, juicy lemons, charcuterie, and wine from nearby estates.
|
|
 |
Gather your favorite provisions and head to the Alzon River for a picnic beneath the shade trees, just a short stroll from the center of Uzès. The Alzon winds through the lush Eure Valley, a landscape rich in both beauty and history. The Romans chose the river as the water source for their flourishing city of Nîmes, channeling it through the remarkable Pont du Gard aqueduct.
Along the path to the river, photo by author.
Bonjours are easily exchanged between locals and visitors enjoying their daily morning, afternoon, and evening strolls along the pathways.
Doors of the Duchy at night, photo by author.
Uzès is beautifully clean, surprisingly energetic for its size, and entirely walkable. Almost completely made of limestone, the town literally glows at day and night.
Where to Eat, from Relaxed to Refined
At street level, the restaurant scene punches well above its weight: from relaxed bistros with zinc-topped bars to refined terraces serving market-fresh menus, there is no shortage of places to eat well.
|
 |
|
From top to bottom, photos by author.
- Entrance to the restaurant Le 10 at Place aux Herbes. Le 10 features a mix of Asian, Latin American, and European fusion dishes, including popular items such as tempura oysters with wasabi, braised beef cheeks, and an inspired cocktail menu.
-
Le Vieux Café, a favorite historic brasserie and bar beloved by families, locals, and visitors young and old alike, offers a full menu prepared with the freshest ingredients. With late-night dining and dependable off-season hours, Le Vieux Café is a true town institution and one of Uzès’ central social hubs.
- The Michelin star rated La Table d'Uzes offering rooftop dining is the restaurant of the five-star La Maison Uzes, a Relais and Chateaux hotel. For a leisurely afternoon, the hotel also offers a spa and lunch package for around 140 euros.
|
|
- Passageway with several restaurants to choose from just off Place aux Herbes.
- One of the many cafés lining Uzès’ charming perimeter road.
The highly reviewed Le Bistro du Chai restaurant is on my list to visit upon my return. Beyond their excellent online reviews, it has earned praise from restaurant critics for their inventive Provençal menus, inspired chefs, and leisurely courtyard dining accompanied by regional wines.
Bistro du Chai. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.
Equally enticing is Midi à l’Ombre, known for its Mediterranean patio and fresh fish dishes.
A dear French friend who lives near Uzès introduced me to Restaurant Parenthèse, which serves regional Provençal cuisine in a cozy atmosphere. With a warmly priced menu and welcoming owners and staff, it is an authentic dining experience well worth returning for.
From foodies to casual travelers, Uzès offers a gastronomically-satisfying range of top-notch restaurants to choose from.
Where to Stay: Hôtel Entraigues
For those looking to immerse themselves fully in the spirit of the town, the boutique Hôtel Entraigues is the natural choice. Located within town and featuring a rooftop pool, staying here feels less like checking into a hotel and more like being welcomed into a home with 5-star service and amenities.
 |
 |
The hotel takes its name from the French Comte d’Antraigues, who was born nearby — a fitting heritage for a building with such quiet grandeur.
Its name itself carries the poetry of the region: entraigues is the Occitan word for “between two waters,” a nod to the landscape that has shaped this corner of southern France for millennia.
Equally charming is the hotel’s beloved resident cat, Schmutz, who happily stops for a pet and returns the favor with a purr.
Whether you're sipping rosé on a shaded terrace, unearthing a piece of hand-painted faïence at a weekend vide-grenier, or setting out on the road to a Roman ruin, Uzès makes you reluctant to leave and eager to return.
Come for the day trips. Stay for the town.
Take something beautiful home.
If you'd like to bring a little of that spirit home with you, explore our spring brocante collection at Trouver French Antiques — pieces with a past, a patina, and a story worth bringing home, sourced from exactly the kind of places this post celebrates.