Vue aérienne du village de Aiguèze et de la Cèze

Let your Gard down!

Our campsite is the perfect departure spot to head off and explore the many riches Provence Occitania has to offer

Located at a crossroads between Haut Languedoc, Cévennes, Provence and vallée du Rhône, the Slow Village Provence Occitanie campsite is in the perfect spot. Make the most of your at La Roque sur Cèze, hailed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, to amble along the many roads of Provence Occitanie and discover the touristic treasures of our region!

With its extraordinary landscapes, traditions, terroirs and rich history, Gard has something for everyone. With its antique remains, medieval ruins, its small villages of character, as well as its large cities packed with Art and History, you will find everything you need to quench your touristic thirst.

 

You can also find an abundance of fun activities for tourists, towns to visit and natural sites to discover right next to our Slow Village Provence Occitanie campsite. Whether you are looking to explore a few caves, chateaux, museums, medieval villages or vestiges from the Roman Empire, this region has plenty of surprises in store for you…

Couple visiting Aiguèze village
550 Classified landmarks Landmarks officially recognised as historical monuments
4“The most beautiful villages in France”
3Special sites classed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Roque sur Cèze - Couple wandering through the grapevines

Fancy a bit of adventure?

Ready, set… explore!

Roque-sur-Cèze,
an enchanting village

 

Classified as one of « The Most Beautiful Villages of France », Roque-sur-Cèze is located less than a mile from our campsite. To make your way there, get ready to cross over the very narrow Pont Charles Martel bridge, a classified landmark, below the village. Once you arrive at the village, keep an eye out for two towers: they are the only visible remains of the ancient fortifications.

 

Gardens, stone houses, porches, chapels… Amble around these paved alleyways and explore the history of this medieval village, considered one of the shining cultural heritage jewels of Gard.

Cascade du Sautadet - Couple standing at the top overlooking the river
See the photos
Cascade du Sautadet - Couple standing at the top overlooking the river
See the photos

Les cascades du Sautadet

 

Created through the combined influences of time and nature, these cavities and cascades formed by the Cèze, nicknamed “the giants’ cooking pots”, are just one of the unmissable sites worth exploring during your stay at the Slow Village Provence Occitanie campsite. Come and admire an impressive series of waterfalls and limestone rocks dating back 5 million years! Located just a few hundred metres from our establishment along the banks of the Cèze and easily accessible on foot, this site is a true tourist hive in summertime.

 

However, keep in mind there is no swimming allowed inside the waterfalls, due to the high risk of the dangerous rapids. But don’t worry, if you wish to lounge around in a river, then just head down a bit further downstream from the waterfalls to calmer waters and a gorgeous shingle beach!

Erosion in Sautadet

What does “Sautadet” mean exactly?

The name “Sautadet” comes from the Occitan word “sautadet” which means “plunging water”, which leads us to the word “waterfall”. But another meaning has recently cropped up. Some say it is a reference to Hades, God of Hell and the Underworld from Greek Mythology. Supposedly, the word could also come from the French, ‘Saut de Hadès.” “Hades’ Jump”, referring to the underground caves hidden beneath the surface which have led to deadly accidents in the past from the strong current during flood periods.
This might also explain a famous local saying: “à la Roque le diable s’y croque”, roughly translated to: ”Beware of the Devil’s Roque”…

Roque sur Cèze, cascades du Sautadet
See the photos
Vue sur le Mont Ventoux
See the photos

Here are a few things we recommend visiting

 

Take a walk through the heart of the Concluses de Lussan
(25 minute drive)

 

Enjoy a tasty visit to the Haribo Museum in Uzès
(35 minute drive)

 

Visit l’Abbaye Saint André Abbey in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
(50 minute drive)

 

Explore La Cité des Papes or “City of Popes” (Avignon)
(50 minute drive)

 

Head off to the explore the Gorges de l’Ardèche
(50 minute drive)

 

Roam the bamboo groves in Cévennes
(1 hours drive)

 

Climb the Mont Ventoux
(1.4 hours drive)

Pont du Gard - Canoés  et baignade

Culture right on your doorstep!

Stay on your “Gard” so you don’t miss some incredible sights!

Pont du Gard

A symbolic spot classed as a UNESCO world heritage in 1985 as well as being awarded the title of Grand Site de France in 2004, it is considered to be the largest bridge ever built during Antiquity. This 2000 year old vestige is one of the best-preserved antique landmarks in the entire world!

 

Bring your family or friends to come and admire this ingenious architectural work of art, before popping into the museum and latest exhibits. For those willing to explore further, mapped-out walking paths give tourists a chance to admire this masterpiece from all angles.

 

Stick on your hiking shoes and come and discover this stone giant that has been straddling the Gardon for over 2000 years…

Pont du Gard - Canoés
See the photos
Grotte du Vallon Pont d\'Arc
See the photos

La Grotte Chauvet

 

This embellished cave of Pont d’Arc, known as the Grotte Chauvet, is over 36,000 years old, and contains some of the most ancient artistic works of art of humanity known to man. Discovered in the 1990’s by a three spelunkers, these caves are bursting with drawings, engravings, and intact traces of bones dating back to Prehistoric times.

 

The original cave became closed to the public in 1995 after being classed as a historical monument. However, you can easily admire its reconstitution in a unique spot known as la Grotte Chauvet 2, the largest embellished replica in the world!

 

Wander around several of these amazing sites, take a trip through time, and plunge into the past.
And if you want to find out more, complete your visit by heading to the Galerie de l’Aurignacien gallery to fully immerse yourself in the daily lives of our ancestors.

 

Just a few feet away, you can explore the gorgeous park and lookout point to give you a full, generous view of the valley of Vallon Pont d’Arc and the Gorges de l’Ardèche.

Nîmes

 

Less than an hour’s driving from your campsite, head off and discover “French Rome” and its famous arenas. The city of Nîmes was first built during the 11th century BC. This city, originally known as ‘Némausa’, was created by a Celtic tribe, the Volcae Arecomici, after they decided to settle near a “generous” source, which can still be found today in Jardins de la Fontaine.

Aerial view of Arènes de Nîmes arena
See the photos
Woman sitting down and admiring the ancient Roman amphitheatre in Nîmes, Gard, France

And what

would Nîmes be without its famous arenas?!

Built over 2000 years ago to host the gladiator fights and other circus events, it is is considered one of the best-preserved ancient arenas in the world. Today, various performances are organised within these walls: (concerts, shows, plays, sporting events, historical re enactments, to name a few…) You can also take a tour of these arenas accompanied by a guide speaker or during a theatrical tour.

 

Other things to see in Nîmes : The Maison Carrée ( recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage list), Jardins de la Fontaine, the Musée de la Romanité museum, the Magne Tower, the Clock Tower, and much more.

Les jardins de la Fontaine
See the photos
Vegetable market

Step by step…

Discover a new side to this Occitan land

You can also find around our establishment a great number of vineyards to visit, as well as many weekly markets with an abundance of local products to sample, such as olive, herbs and spices, jam, and plenty more…

Roque sur Cèze - Couple wandering through the grapevines
Marché provençal - Huile d\'olive, tomates séchées
See the photos

The weekly markets

 

Weekly markets are part of an important tradition in the towns and villages in the South of France. Here are a few you can explore around our Slow Village Provence Occitanie campsite:

 

Goudargues
Weekly Market Every Wednesday morning, discover a quaint little market in this little village nicknamed “Little Venice in Gard”. Enjoy a charming atmosphere and a canal bordered with plane trees.

 

Bagnols-sur-Cèze
A traditional market open every Wednesday morning One of the biggest markets in the region, you will find a large variety of local products, such as fruit, vegetables and cheeses…

 

Pont-Saint-Esprit
Traditional Market: This Saturday morning market is packed with a charming variety of products to choose from.

 

Barjac
Traditional Market: Every Friday morning, this market is an ideal opportunity to discover the local products available in a charming, Provençal atmosphere.

 

Uzès
One of the most famous markets of Gard. La place aux Herbes offers a charming scenic view, a delight for both the eyes and the taste-buds.

 

Traditional Market: Open Saturday morning, with an array of stalls boasting with local, artisanal products and clothing.
Vegetable market Open Wednesday mornings, and centred around the local produce.

 

For the exact times and details, click the following link:
https://www.provenceoccitane.com/marches.html

The Vineyards

 

Roque-sur-Cèze, nestled in the department of Gard, is located on the edge of the vallée du Rhône, one of the most prestigious wine-growing areas of France. This ideal geographic location creates a helpful proximity to several renowned designations of this valley.

 

In particular, the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape, one of the most famous and ancient designations, located just 40 km East of Roque-sur-Cèze. This is where the sharp, powerful reds and complex whites are produced. The geographic proximity to Roque-sur-Cèze and its famous designations makes it the perfect starting point to explore the wine growing treasures of vallée du Rhône.

Roque-sur-Cèze - Couple taking a selfie
Vineyard in Gard
See the photos

If you are looking for something a little closer, try one of the following:

 

Domaine La Marseillaise
Located nearby, this vineyard produces organic wine made from a diverse grape varieties. They also have an interesting, eco-responsible approach to their wine-making.

 

Domaine Pelaquié
Not far from Roque-sur-Cèze, this vineyard has existed for several generations and is renowned for the high-quality wines in produces all around vallée du Rhône.

 

Domaine de la Vallongue
This wine domain is known for its organic wine and wine-making process that is very respectful of the environment.

 

Domaine Saladin
Located in Saint-Marcel-d’Ardèche, just 30 km away, this biodynamic family domain produces authentic, and expressive wines under different designations, such as Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages.

 

Domaine Viret
40 km away, in Saint-Maurice-sur-Eygues, the Domaine Viret practices cosmoculture wine-making, a method that goes far beyond simple biodynamics. These wines are concocted following the the natural and cosmic cycles.

 

For more information about possible visits and tasting tours in the surrounding vineyards, don’t hesitate to contact our team.

Cascade du Sautadet - Couple standing at the top overlooking the river
Roque-sur-Cèze - Aerial view of bridge and village
The Cèze in Roque-sur-Cèze
Roque-sur-Cèze - Couple taking a selfie
Cascade du Sautadet - Couple standing at the top overlooking the river
Cascades du Sautadet
Cascades du Sautadet - Couple sitting on a cliff
Cascades du Sautadet, Gard - Swimming area
Roque sur Cèze, cascades du Sautadet
Cascades du Sautadet, Gard - Aerial view
Vue sur le Mont Ventoux
Les gorges de la Concluse de Lussan near village of Lussan, Gard, France
Jardin de l\'Abbaye Saint André
Gorge de l\'Ardèche
Jardin \"Bambouseraie de Prafrance\" in Générargues, near Anduze, Cévennes
Pont du Gard - Canoés
Pont du Gard
Célèbre Aqueduc romain, le Pont du Gard, près d\'Avignon, dans le Gard, en Occitanie, France
Grotte du Vallon Pont d\'Arc
Grotte Chauvet 2 Vallon-Pont-d\'Arc - Exterior façade of the caverne du Pont d’Arc
Grotte Chauvet 2 à Vallon-Pont-d\'Arc - Mammouth
Grotte Chauvet 2 Vallon-Pont-d\'Arc - Exterior façade of the caverne du Pont d’Arc
Aerial view of Arènes de Nîmes arena
Nîmes - Interior view of Arènes de Nîmes arena in France
Nîmes - Les Arènes de Nîmes de nuit
Nîmes - Les Arènes de Nimes à
Nîmes - Les
Les jardins de la Fontaine
Nîmes - Clock Tower
La Maison Carrée de Nîmes
287215671
Vue de la Tour de Magne dans
Marché provençal - Huile d\'olive, tomates séchées
Vegetable market
Vineyard in Gard
Grappes de raisin - ProvenceOccitanie
La Roque sur C
Harvesting black grapes by hand in a vineyard in Gard