There’s something very sophisticated about Uzès. Perhaps it’s because a duke lives there (well, some of the time anyway), or maybe it’s because of its stately position above the Eure valley, or its pretty cobbled streets sheltered by elegant vaulted arches. Whatever the reason, it feels chic yet at the same time, unpretentious. After all it’s in the Gard, not Provence.
The town’s medieval walls surround a meticulously preserved labyrinth of boutiques, antique shops and cafés. At the centre is the Place aux Herbes, an arcade-lined square that hosts a famous food market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
The aforementioned duke is part of the House of Crussol, the oldest ducal family in France who were elevated to the important position of first Duchy in 1632. A visit to the duke’s castle is quite pricey (€18), but the Crussol family argue that this is the only means of maintaining the building.
The town’s other claims to fame are its annual truffle festival and of course, its proximity to the magnificent Pont du Gard. And if you have kids in tow you might want to check out the Haribo Museum too.
How to get there: Uzès can be found in the Gard department just over an hour’s drive from Montpellier along the A9. The Pont du Gard lies 20 minutes south east of the town.
Worth a visit: The village next door, St Quentin la Poterie is famous for its pottery. It’s tiny streets of colourfully painted houses hide about 23 different ceramics workshops.
Find out visiting times and prices for the duke’s castle on its website. For more information on the Pont du Gard, click here; and if you want to visit the Musée de Bonbon Haribo, visit the website here.
Montpellier and more 
Can’t wait to visit. Sounds lovely.