Excursions

Excursions from Beaucaire
No matter which direction you take, there are plenty of wonderful places to explore, and the variety of countryside in Provence and Gard within a small radius is fascinating. Here are a few suggestions. We have not mentioned the countless small villages and vineyards you will encounter along the way.

18 kilometers to the south in Provence is Arles, with its splendid Roman amphitheater and connections to Van Gogh. Arles is the gateway to the marshes of the Camargue, a great place for horse riding. From here you can continue to the beaches of Saintes-Maries de la Mer (52 km from Beaucaire) and on to Aigues-Mortes, a medieval gem of a city, its walls completely intact.

25 km to the west is Nîmes, a city with a wealth of museums and Roman ruins.

The lovely walled city of Avignon, on the banks of the Rhone and crowned by the imposing Palais des Papes, is 21 km to the northeast.

Drive northwest through the low hills of Le Gard in Languedoc-Roussillon, and visit the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct (15 km away) and the lovely town of Uzès and surrounding villages.

15 km to the east in the Alpilles Mountains, you will find the breathtaking fortress town of Les Baux-de Provence, set on a high plateau. St. Rémy de Provence, where Van Gogh produced some of his most famous paintings, is also close by, only 18 km from Beaucaire.

For longer excursions, why not wander through the beautiful Provence countryside of Luberon east of Avignon, stopping off in Gordes, Lacoste, Bonnieux, Lourmarin and others, some of the most beautiful villages in France. Plateau de Sault has magnificent fields of lavender, while Isle Sur Sorgue, a picturesque town laced with canals, is famous for its antique shops and its Sunday market selling all kinds of Provençal crafts. The lively city of Aix-en-Provence is another great place to visit, 90 km to the southeast.

Wineries: Too many to name. Enjoy exploring and tasting! You are in the largest wine region in France. Among the famous wine areas around Beaucaire are Pays D'Oc, Côtes de Rhône and Costières de Nîmes. Also not far are Côtes de Luberon, Côtes de Ventoux and Châteauneuf du Pape. And don't forget Beaucaire's own Wine Cooperative, a 5 minute drive from the apartment.

A local favorite of ours is Domaine de Lansac, just outside Tarascon on route 570, on a small road to the on the road to Arles. It is just after you get onto Route 570, to the right opposite the Restaurant La Clé des Champs, a popular truck stop. The Vin de Pays is excellent and inexpensive and the place picturesque. Eléonore de Sabran-Pontevès, descendent of the Counts of Provence whose family have lived here for generations, produces and sells the wine herself. If you show interest, she is happy to discuss her wine with you.

For more information about Beaucaire and its Environs, visit the Web site of the Beaucaire Tourism Office at http://www.ot-beaucaire.fr/gb/index.php.

<<Castle <<Around Town <<Canal Marina <<Bulls and The Fair <<Other Sites << Markets <<Excursions