Beaucaire: Fortress, Rhône and Roman History

In Beaucaire, historic buildings and Roman traces meet walking routes, ceramics and wine. When planning a stay, you can decide whether to focus mainly on exploring architecture and history or to include seasonal activities as well. For some visits, dates and access conditions need to be taken into account.

History in buildings and collections

In ancient times, Beaucaire was known as Ugernum and was a stop on the Via Domitia, the long-distance road from Italy to Spain, built by Cneus Domitius Ahenobarbus. Another historical trace can be found on the façade of the Hôtel de Ville: the building was constructed between 1679 and 1683 by the architect from Nîmes, Jacques Cubizol, under the direction of Alexis de La Feuille. The façade features the Canne de Montpellier and the Aune de France, units of measurement used before the introduction of the metric system.

The religious buildings also offer concrete points of reference for a historical tour. The Église Saint-Paul preserves three neoclassical paintings by Jacques Réattu from 1827 to 1829. They depict episodes from the life of Saint Paul. The Collégiale Notre-Dames-des-Pommiers is an 18th-century church and was listed as a historic monument on 13 October 1942. At the Musée Auguste Jacquet, the collections span a range of topics from Roman antiquity to the Foire de la Madeleine and late-19th-century clothing.

Fortress and visitor information

Beaucaire’s medieval fortress was built in the 11th century as a residence for the Counts of Toulouse and was later reinforced as an important military stronghold. A self-guided visit includes access to the ramparts, the remains of the medieval castle and the landscaped gardens. The keep is closed to self-guided visitors and can be visited as part of a guided tour. Guided tours explain the medieval fortifications and their polygonal tower. Tours and booking requirements vary by season; check dates and access conditions before your visit.

Walks and views

The Massif de l’Aiguille is a good addition to a visit to the Abbaye de Saint-Roman for half-day walks. A path from the abbey’s supervised car park leads through Mediterranean garrigue to the top of the limestone hill. From there, views extend over the Rhône and the Alpilles. Weather and forest-fire restrictions can affect access, so it is worth checking conditions before setting out.

The fortress also offers a viewpoint, but with different sights: from its ramparts, you can see the Rhône, the rooftops of Beaucaire and the neighboring town of Tarascon. This makes it possible to combine views across the landscape with views of the town and its surroundings, without the two locations offering the same perspective.

Ceramics and seasonal events

Françoise Rebord’s studio offers weekly pottery classes for adults and children. Unique ceramic pieces are made, fired and displayed there. If you are considering a class, confirm availability and booking arrangements before your trip; you should also check access to the studio before visiting.

Abrivados take place in Beaucaire from April to October. They are organized either by the town as part of its bull-running festivities or by local associations; the town provides logistical support in each case. As these events are seasonal, check the event calendar if you would like to include an Abrivado in your travel plans.

Roman wine at Mas des Tourelles

At Mas des Tourelles, a working Gallo-Roman wine cellar has been recreated, where grapes are made into wine using ancient methods. Tastings are offered of wines made there according to recipes by Latin authors. These include Mulsum, Turriculae and Carenum. Tastings may be seasonal or require a booking, so plan your visit in advance.

A visit to Mas des Tourelles also includes a walk through a Roman garden and a Roman vineyard, leading to an archaeological site. Together with the wine cellar, this offers a distinct focus for travelers interested in ancient winemaking and archaeology.

Discover more destinations: Fontanès, Lamelouze, Chamborigaud, Bagnols-Sur-Cèze, Saze, Fontarèches, Boucoiran-Et-Nozières, Bellegarde.

For the broader travel overview: Gard.