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A Month in Provence Pt3 : Charming Ezes

© Mary Ellen Bradshaw

A little history Ezes is an ancient city, built high on a hill on Roman ruins. This charming town overlooks the *Garrigues, vineyards, olive groves and small villages. Although the origins of the city are not known, there are remnants of a prehistoric civilization in caves at the foot of the hill. This area was also occupied by Celts in a time before Christ.

The Romans established a camp here due to its strategic position, to protect Nimes and to take advantage of the abundant, pure, water source from the Eure Springs. They built an immense Aqueduct 50 km. long, stretching from Ezes to Nimes. Many vestiges of this incredible engineering feat still dot the countryside, the most famous portion being the *Pont du Gard, an immense bridge/aqueduct crossing the Gardon river.

During the middle ages Ezes became rich and powerful. At this point it had converted to Christianity. It was chosen as the Bishopic (Head office)of the Eveche, Ezes was also popular with the royal court so it also became the first Duchy of France. Ezes was city of trade and industry. This included the making of wool cloth and fabrics. Many of the beautiful homes, buildings and monuments from that era still stand today.

Ezes also became a place of inspiration for artists and authors, including Jean Racine, Andre Gide, Xavier Sigalon to name just a few. Ezes is known as a city of Medieval art. Art galleries abound in this city.

Ezes today is a fine example of the merging of the old and new. It is a charming city of three towers, a Ducal castle, fine old buildings and mansions and wide tree lined boulevards. Ezes is popular with tourists who arrive in large numbers during the season. Ezes also services the surrounding small villages.

There are many restaurants, shops, hotels, and a large open market each Wednesday and Saturday in the wonderful arcaded square in the center of town. Ezes was our lifeline during the inundation. It was also a place we would come to eat, drink coffee or wine, shop for wonderful cotton tableware and visit the only local cyber café we could find. This friendly, accommodating town is one of my favorites in this region.

Points of interest:

St. Theodorit Cathedral, (1652)The Fenestrelle tower, (11th century) The Duchy and towers, the House of Baron de Castile, (12th Century) Town Hall, 18th Century, Saint Etienne Church, (18th Century) Place Aux Herbes (Old Market Square) and Place Dampmartin, The Pavilion Racine, (18th Century) The Chambon de la Tour House and Saint Thodorit Fountain