Collias is a village of 1,000 inhabitants on the edge of the Gardon, between the Pont du Gard and Uzès. No red lights, no mall, no noise. Just a stone village, a river, and the scrubland all around. Here's what we can do about it (and there's more to it than we think). Swimming in the Gardon This is the first thing people do when they arrive in Collias in the summer.
The pebble beach below the village is easily accessible, shallow on the edges (perfect for children), and bathed in sunshine for a good part of the day. The water is fresh, clear, and the scenery is spectacular: limestone cliffs, Mediterranean vegetation, and the silence of nature. In summer, some areas are monitored. Flat rocks allow you to sit comfortably.
Remember to bring water shoes for the pebbles. Canoeing down the Gardon The star activity of Collias. Several canoe rental companies offer descents of 8 to 30 km through the Gardon Gorge. The most popular: the Collias descent to the Pont du Gard (8 km, about 2 hours), where you pass under the Roman aqueduct while paddling. It is accessible to everyone, including children from 6 years of age accompanied.
The main charterers are Kayak Vert and Canoe Collias, both at the village's nautical base. Count between €18 and €28 per person depending on the distance. The season usually runs from April to October, depending on the water level. Hiking in the scrubland and the gorges Collias is surrounded by hiking trails. Some must-sees: The Gorges du Gardon trail: a 14 km loop that runs along the cliffs above the river.
Magnificent landscapes, prehistoric caves, and views of the Gardon. Allow 4-5 hours. The Hermitage loop: a shorter path (6 km, 2h) that leads to the Saint-Vérédème chapel, a small troglodyte chapel hanging on the cliff above the Gardon. One of the most beautiful viewpoints in the area. Garrigue trails: easier paths in the middle of thyme, rosemary and holm oaks.
Perfect in the late afternoon when the light is golden. Visit the Pont du Gard From Collias, the Pont du Gard is 8 km by car (10 minutes) or 2 hours by canoe. The site offers a museum, a children's area (Ludo), a scrubland trail, and in summer a sound and light show (every evening in July-August at 10:30 pm). Parking costs €9 per vehicle (valid all day). Access to the Bridge itself is free.
Explore Uzès A 15-minute drive from Collias, Uzès is a beautiful town with its Provençal Saturday morning market, the Place aux Herbes, the Duchy and the Tour Fenestrelle. Perfect for a morning of strolling followed by a terrace lunch. Eat and drink In Collias itself: L'Oxalis is a renowned gourmet restaurant, right in front of the church. For something simpler, the Café du Village offers daily dishes on the square.
For picnics on the banks of the Gardon, the village bakery prepares sandwiches, and Beatrice at Chambres d 'Elise can prepare a picnic basket on reservation (24 hours in advance). Markets in the region: Uzès on Saturday, Remoulins on Friday, Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie on Sunday morning (with potters, it's worth a visit).
Discover Beatrice's macerates Beatrice, the hostess of the Chambers of Elise, makes her own oily macerates from plants picked in the scrubland: St. John's wort, helichrysum, calendula. She offers them to her hosts and organizes walks to discover the wild plants around Collias. An original and authentic activity for those interested in botany and traditional knowledge.
With children Collias is very family friendly. Gardon beach is safe (shallow areas), canoeing is possible from 6 years old, and the village is pedestrianised. The Pont du Gard site offers the Ludo space for 5-12 year olds with educational activities on the Roman era. For (rare) rainy days, the Pont du Gard museum and the alleys of Uzès are good alternatives.
Where to sleep in Collias At Chambres d 'Elise, Béatrice welcomes her guests in a stone village house, in the heart of Collias. Two guest rooms (the Blue Room with private terrace and views of the gorges, the Pink Room for families up to 5 people) and an independent cottage with equipped kitchen (up to 6 people). Breakfast with local and seasonal products, free parking, and the Gardon is a 5-minute walk away.
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