Ales

Ales has a population of just over 40,000 and is the second largest town in the department of Gard. It was once called “black town” because of its involvement in the coal industry with many of the locals once working down the mines, in operation since the thirteenth century.

The last coal was dug out twenty years ago and now Ales prefers to be known for the Park National des Cevennes which was created in 1970 and is a huge natural area which is supported by Unesco. It is responsible for the naturalisation of animals including the red deer, beavers and vultures, and preservation of over 2250 species of plants. Throughout the winter, cross country skiing takes place over the 100 kilometres of marked trails, but for the remainder of the year horse riding, canoeing, kayaking, mountain climbing or exploring the numerous caves are popular.

The centre of Ales has wide esplanades and pedestrianised streets. It is a delightful place to sit in pavement cafes and watch the world go by or spend a relaxing afternoon browsing for gifts, jewellery or garments made from the native silk. For sight-seeing, there are three main attractions worth seeing. The Musee du Desert illustrates life with the Camisards who were a group of protestants who waged a guerrilla war against Louis XIV´s troops. The Bamboueraie de Prafrance can be reached via a steam railway and is a collection of Asian buildings set in aquatic gardens with over 150 species of bamboo. The Mine Temoin is a museum which is situated deep underground where you will be able to see what life was like for the miners and where you will be asked to wear a safety helmet.

The nearest airport to Ales is at Nimes where there are regular Ryanair flights from the UK. Or you can fly British and GB Airways to Montpellier Airport which is just over the border in Herault. If you prefer rail travel, then the TGV runs from Calais to Paris where you change and catch another train from Paris to Nimes.