L'Olivier, Our Villa in Uzès, Provence

Description from the owner

You couldn’t really say that this beautiful traditional house was a “cottage” but neither is it a “villa”, really. Some say it is like a small château. But it is really better described as a large and very old village townhouse. Actually words fail, as it is quite unique with its unusual layout and character. Large rooms, a very beautiful garden, not one but TWO wine caves - the lower of which even has the vestiges of an old Roman road! (so the town architect of Uzès has confirmed)– these are just some of the aspects that give this striking edifice its special charm and ‘cachet’, as the French would say. Only a very short di...stance from central market square and belonging to the one of the oldest parts of Uzès, L’Olivier’s ‘modern’ history dates back to the 17th century when it was employed in the lucrative silkworm trade, a trade which made Uzès a very wealthy place some centuries back. It abounds in original features, which we have striven to preserve, but one such embellishment was something we ourselves added to the back garden: a 300-year-oldOlive tree. This talismanic tree seems to possess a soul as you sit and observe it under the dappled Provençal sunlight, the little ants running up and down its gnarled and noble trunk on their way to ... who knows where? The house has all modern comforts including central heating and air-conditioning.

The Walled Garden

There’s something magical about this tranquil garden. The ancient walls surrounding it provide privacy but still allow sweeping views of the azure skies of Provence, skies full of bird life and the sounds of insects. And yet ... there are rarely any mosquitoes. Screened from the hot sun in summer by the old Alder trees, you can sit at the table on the terrace near the old Olive tree and read, sip a local wine, dine, talk or just get lost in reverie to the accompaniment of the bubbling stone fountain. There is a little “mazet” (cabana) with a divan to shelter from the heat - or rain - and various seats scattered about giving many opportunities for a variety of viewpoint. At night, the whole garden can be lit providing a most beautiful atmosphere, conducive to enjoying the balmy evenings in the warmer months. Even on extremely hot days, the cool evening breezes descending from the nearby Cévenne mountains make the temperature outdoors very comfortable. On a practical level, we have a wifi repeater in the garden so you can even surf the web in these lovely surroundings. The mazet will be equipped in the near future with a kitchenette so you will then even be able to prepare and serve meals for en-plein-air dining without having to return to the main house. There is also a herb garden where you can pick fresh ‘herbs de Provence’ to garnish your latest gastronomic miracle.Read more

Additional Location Information

Oh little town of Uzès, wrote André Gide (whose father was from Uzès) “Were you in Umbria, the Parisians would flock to visit you!” Well, years later, Uzès has been quietly discovered as a town rich in art and history. In 1962 it was selected as one of France’s 500 villes d’art and since then much money has been lavished on restoring and repairing the tumbling façades. Recently, Uzès created the perfect stage backdrop for the Gerard Depardieu film “Cyrano de Bergerac”.
There are many historical influences at play in the architecture of Uzès and in the surrounding Uzège. The legacy of the Greeks and Romans is particularly obvious with many ancient temples, coliseums, monuments and other buildings still standing today. The most famous monument is, of course, the Pont du Gard, located only 15 km from Uzès. This marvellously preserved portion of the original 52 km long Roman aqueduct is well worth a visit. In the heart of Uzès you will find the grand fortified residence of the first Duchy of France. Its oldest section, the rectangular dungeon called the Tour Bermonde, dates from the 11th century. You can climb the steep spiral escalier d’honneur to the top for views over the shimmering tiles of Uzès’ rooftops. The interior is well stocked with period furnishings, complemented by wax dukes and duchesses in their 16th-century finery. Unique in France, the 12th-century Tour Fenestrelle is a cylindrical six-storey gem, named after the rows of double-lit windows that encircle it, inspired by the towers of Ravenna and Lombardy. Inside the Cathédrale St.Théodorit, is a splendid organ of 1670, the only one in France to have retained its original painted shutters. Recently restored, it is the centrepiece of the end-of-July music festival, Nuits Musicales d’Uzès.
The countryside around Uzès - where fields of asparagus, cherry orchards, forests of truffle oaks and vineyards alternate with scrub lands - is dotted with attractive old villages. Stark geological features contrasting with these cosy little places nestling amongst them make outings in it continually surprising. Swimming (at the local swimming pool or at the Pont du Gard “beach”), canoeing (along the Gardon river), golf, Montgolfière (hot air ballooning), abseiling, walking, bicycle touring, and an aquatic park for kids are just some of the many sporting activities in immediate reach of the town. Cultural activities include art and pottery exhibitions, theatre, concerts, dance performances and the famous International festival of Ancient music (Nuits Musicales d’Uzès) held every year in July in the precincts of the Château. Full details of these are available in our guest’s guidebook available in each cottage and at the Tourism Office.
Uzès is blessed with a most wonderful open-air market selling fresh food, an amazing variety of delicious fungi and other local produce, crafts, local artwork, books, antiques, brocante, curios, and clothes. The days and times this is held, as well as other notable markets in neighbouring towns, is listed at each house. It is well worth a visit! Uzès also has an amazing variety of shops and boutiques, bars and restaurants, cafés and bakeries, a cinema, jazz-clubs, and galleries. All of this is within two or three minute walk from the house. Food prices are similar to those at home, sometimes even cheaper. You can buy excellent local wines for as little as 2 Euros per litre! Try the ‘Grand Chemin’ gris rosé. Food shops are open all week - some closing Sundays or Mondays. Most shops close from 12 midday till 2 pm but the “hypermarket” on the outskirts of town is open all day. Banks and Post Offices close at 12 midday on Saturday and don’t re-open till Tuesday, but you can use the ubiquitous ‘distributeurs de billets’ to obtain cash easily with your credit card at any time. Uzès also boasts no less than 19 antique and brocante shops within its walls. There are also some world-class antique boutiques at the nearby villages of Argilliers, Castillon du Gard and along the route to Avignon.
Just some of the things nearby you can visit from Uzès:
• Pont du Gard , 2000 year old Roman aqueduct
• Avignon, Palace of the Popes, famous bridge in the song.
• Nîmes, roman amphitheatre
• Arles, roman amphitheatre, site where Van Gogh painted.
• Orange, Roman theatre
• Aigues Mortes, walled city on the sea
• Sète, costal fishing village
• Bouzigues, seafood restaurants on the sea, looking out to the oyster farms.
• Uzès, Haribo sweets factory (tour for children)
and much, much more!

Location Type Village

Rental fees

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