When to go dans le Gard ?
The Gard has a Mediterranean climate, with three nuances. In the south, from the coast to the Costières (small Camargue) the climate is mild in winter, hot in summer, dry all year round. In the center and east, Garrigues and Uzégeois, the climate is fairly mild in winter, hot to very hot in summer, especially in Nîmes, with a few thunderstorms in summer, rainfall in autumn and spring. To the northwest, the Cevennes have a Mediterranean climate with continental and oceanic influences that mitigate its leniency.
Summer is the high tourist season in Grau-du-Roi/Port Camargue, with long fine sandy beaches close to the city centre and a vast expanse of dunes that look like the end of the world. Here the wind makes the happiness of kite surfers and other water sports enthusiasts. The fishing port is punctuated by days and seasons. In the middle of summer, the tables are full but the quality is not always there. Spring and autumn are more pleasant for tourists. Avoid the summer in Nîmes, which is often leaden by heat waves. In spring you can see the transhumance of the sheep on Mount Aigoual. However, it should be noted that both spring and autumn can be very rainy in the Cévennes (risk of flooding). Summer is hot and sometimes stormy. Winter is rather mild in the valley, but cool in cold elsewhere with frequent snowfalls above 1,000 m on Mount Aigoual.
All year round you have access to a string of charming villages, 4 of which are among the most beautiful in France: Aiguèze, an 11th century fortress, Montclus, a medieval village, La Roque-sur-Cèze, between vineyards and waterfalls, Lussan, a medieval city on a rocky peak, surrounded by ramparts. For Barjac, a village of character, the hunters will choose a visit at one of the two major fairs at the city's flea market, around Easter and around August 15. Those who don't like crowds will avoid these dates. The fig festivals, the fruit of the sun, which take place in August and October, add to the flavour of the medieval perched city of Vézénobre, which houses a fig conservatory. In the Camargue, ask for the ferias program. The grape harvest in Nîmes is famous. And no off-season for the Nîmes cod brandade. La Nîmoise, house of brandade, asparagus cuisine (spring), with garlic, parsley, lemon zest and olive oil from the Gard (summer), with mushrooms and sweet onions from the Cévennes (autumn), salmon or truffle from Uzès (end of year).
Find unique holiday offers with our partners
Discover le Gard
Here's an authentic, lively region, bursting with sunshine, culture, heritage and nature. It's the South, the garrigue and cicadas, the Camargue with its flamingos, horses, toros and ferias. It's also the mountains, with Mont Aigoual culminating at 1,567 m, offering hiking in all four seasons on more than 28 nature trails. From the Cévennes in the north-west, through the Costières in the south-east, the Rhone plain, the coastal plain and the Petite Camargue, the Gard is a tourist destination with emblematic sites such as the Pont du Gard and the Cirque de Navacelles. With 250 days of sunshine a year, its historic towns and remarkable villages, its Grands Sites de France, its gourmet delights, its traditional festivals, its 9,000 km of signposted itineraries and its varied landscapes, the Gard is an exciting destination!
