La Maison des Roses is situated in the centre of the village of Saint-Gély. Saint-Gély is a small village in the valley of the Cèze, and a part of the Valcezard region. This region lies at the southern end of the Rhone Valley, one hour from Avignon, Nimes, the Cévennes and the Camargue.
With the Ardèche Gorges to their north and the Cèze Valley to their south, 16 communes invite you to discover the charming villages of the area. At the heart of the region, the Valbonne forest offers a wide variety of marked paths perfect for nature-lovers and hikers. Walk up to the 12th C Saint-Sauveur Chapel, a sacred site in the village.
Services in the village include the co-operative wine cellar of Saint-Gély, the Cou Cou Fon Fon restaurant-bar, Mr. Couderc's meat shop, and the daily bakery delivery truck.
Perched on a rocky peak, the old village of Cornillon, a formerly fortified site, is inscribed on the list of protected sites. The district constitutes 10 hamlets: Cabrol, La Vérune, Cornillon Village, St Nabor, St Gely, Roman, Talazargues, Cazerneau, Privat, and Ivagnas. The most important one, St Gély, is a good starting place for hikes through the hills and on the banks of the Cèze.
Visitors can enjoy several events: at the end of winter and beginning of spring, the town hosts the French and World championship bicycle and dirt-bike races in the spectacular outdoor arenas of the Idarocs. In the summer, there are yard sales and flea markets on June 25, mass in Provençal and paëlla on July 1, feasts and fireworks on July 14, and the celebration of the Club de l'Amitié on August 5.
Visitors can stroll through the picturesque little streets, admire the fountain, and daydream by the village's gray walls.
Goudargues, which is a 3 minute drive away, is often known as the Venice of the Gard. This is due to its natural spring water canals that were created by the monks from the nearby abbey. There is a market held on Wednesdays, and this is as joyful and colourful affair as any French country market, with fresh local produce vying for attention alongside local crafts, clothes and plants. The old streets await your discovery, but also there are good amenities to make life easy and to spare you the hassle of travelling to a large town for the everyday necessities.
Amenities include:
- restaurants, cafés, pizzerias
- boutiques, gift shops
- atm, bank
- post office
- grocery stores
- bakeries
- pharmacy
- general store
- doctors
We are minutes from the Ardèche and Cèze rivers with a full range of summer water sports and activities. One of the most stunning scenic highlights of France, they are usually accessed from the town of Vallon Pont d'Arc at the upper (north-west) end of the gorges. The gorge runs about 40km eastwards from Pont d'Arc (itself a few kilometres east of the popular resort of Vallon Pont d'Arc).
Perhaps the best way to explore the Ardeche gorges, and to get a real sense of their grandeur and beauty, is by descending in canoe from Vallon Pont d'Arc to Saint-Martin d'Ardeche - about 35 kilometres, with cliffs either side up to 300 metres in height. The tourist office recommend April, May and September as the best times of year to make the descent.
This is a very popular trip, and several canoe companies operate along the river. After reaching your destination you are collected and returned to your car.
Avignon, for some time capital of Christendom in the Middle Ages, retains the indelible mark of its grandiose destiny : the palais des papes (palace of the popes), the Saint-Benezet brigde, called the « pont dAvignon » of worldwide fame through its commemoration by the song, and the ramparts constitute an exceptional complex of monuments listed by UNESCO as World Heritage sites. In addition dozens of churches and chapels, all remains of a past rich in history give the city its unique atmosphere.
Aix en Provence, the capital of Provence, is a living history book, with a rich heritage thousands of years old. Not only can you visit this university city for its museums, shopping and its historic sites, but Aix is known for hosting one of the regions largest and more diverse weekly markets. This Saturday market is a must see in the region for any one looking for unique finds, basic provencale goodies or even just incredibly fresh produce! Aix -En-Provence as a city destination does not disappoint.
Picturesque nearby villages include La Rocque-sur-Cèze, Cornillon, Pont-St. Esprit and Goudargues. Historic Roman towns and sites nearby include Uzès, Le Pont du Gard, Nimes and Orange both within 30 minutes to an hour away.
Saint-Gély and its neighbouring villages all host energetic summer village festivals with cultural enjoyment for all. Chateau-Neuf du Pape is one of a plethera of wine tasting cellars in the immediate area. The Bagnols sur Cèze Festival du Terroir is also a great wine tasting venue.
