Gard & Roman Provence — one week of aqueducts, amphitheatres, stone towns, river water, and long dinners together.
Ancient stone in the morning, river water under Roman arches, markets in Uzès, rosé at dusk, and a house close enough to come home to instead of repacking halfway through the trip.
2,000 years old, still ridiculous engineering.
This is why Uzès makes more sense than a generic Provence week: Roman engineering, river time, and a day that feels specific rather than just pretty.
Days 1–7 · Sat 12 Sept → Sat 19 Sept · Base: Uzès / Pont du Gard area
Train from Brussels-Midi to Avignon, pick up the rental car, drive to the accommodation near Uzès / Pont du Gard. Easy evening walk and dinner in Uzès if energy allows.
Travel dayEarly visit before crowds, then kayak the Gardon and paddle directly under the Roman arches. This is the anchor day of the trip. Afternoon back at the house/pool.
⭐ Must-doFull day in Nîmes: amphitheatre, Maison Carrée, Tour Magne/Jardins de la Fontaine, lunch in the old town. Check arena events or festival dates before booking the final plan.
HistoryMarket morning in Uzès, then either a slow pool afternoon or a gentle bike loop through the garrigue toward Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie. No cooking class — keep this day flexible.
Slow / cyclingDay trip to Arles for the Roman amphitheatre, theatre, cryptoporticus/old town, and a good lunch. Optional short Camargue add-on only if the group wants flamingos and salt-flat landscape.
Roman cityOrange for the ancient theatre and triumphal arch — very on-theme for a Roman-heavy week. Add a wine stop on the way back, or keep the evening relaxed at the accommodation.
⭐ Roman spineGlanum archaeological site near Saint-Rémy, then Les Baux for dramatic hilltop stone and views. Final evening: cook together, bottles from the week, no restaurant pressure.
Final day
Nîmes, Arles, Orange, Glanum: the itinerary now has a clear historical spine instead of being a softer Luberon loop with Roman bits attached.
One sleeping spot keeps the trip calmer: less packing, fewer transfer logistics, and more room for pool afternoons after very old stones have done their emotional damage.
Paddle under the Pont du Gard. Reserve online 1–2 weeks ahead · ~€20–25pp
Arena, Maison Carrée, Tour Magne / Jardins de la Fontaine. Check combined pass options · ~€15–25pp
Ancient theatre and triumphal arch. Strong replacement for the Luberon postcard day · ~€10–15pp
Uzès / garrigue loop if the group wants a movement day. E-bikes available · ~€20–30pp/day
Keep it informal: one tasting or bottles for the house rather than a packed tasting itinerary.
Uzès gives the week an evening centre: markets, shaded squares, restaurants, and the feeling that the accommodation is near a real place.
The theatre and triumphal arch keep the trip coherent. Camargue can stay optional; Orange belongs in the main argument.
€1,100 total split between 6 adults
Train + shared car + fuel/tolls, depending on booking timing and vehicle choice
Pont du Gard/kayak, Nîmes, Arles, Orange/Glanum, optional bike or wine stop. No cooking class.
Cook most days, lunches out, a few relaxed restaurant meals
Planning number: tell the group ~€850pp, with room up or down depending mostly on train/car and restaurant habits.