Book a budget hotel in Alès

The Gard is a sunny region, bursting with good local produce and mouth-watering fruit and vegetables which form the basis of its local cuisine. Sweet onions and Cévennes chestnuts are frequently used in Gardoise cuisine. Delicatessen meats such as fricandeau (made from pork) are also common. Cod brandade, which originates from Nîmes, can be eaten with the local olive oil. After a well-balanced breakfast in our Première Classe hotel, take advantage of your stay in Alès to also discover pélardon, a controlled designation of origin (appellation d'origine contrôlée, AOC) goat's cheese, Cévennes wines classified which are classified as PGIs (Protected Geographical Indications), and bring back a jar of Cévennes honey.

Visit Alès and the surrounding area to enjoy its sporting events in the heart of nature. For example you may want to book a Première Classe hotel at the end of January when the 24MX Alès Trêm, a spectacular endurance race in the heart of the Cévennes, takes place. In July, the Grand Trail Stevenson is held, a foot race retracing the steps of the adventurer Robert-Louis Stevenson. On the cultural side, take advantage of a weekend in Alès to attend the Itinérance film festival in March. Throughout the summer you can attend the Estiv'Alès concerts and shows or the Cratère Surface festival street shows in July.

Contrary to what its name suggests, Fort Vauban was not built by Sébastien Le Prestre Vauban himself, who incidentally never went to Alès. The citadel, built in 1688, was constructed by the chief engineer François Ferry in the same architectural style as Vauban's fortifications. Nowadays, this bastion of defense, which became a prison during the French Revolution, can be visited, on Heritage Days or by appointment through the local tourist office. Discover the other forts in the region by staying in our Première Classe hotels in Occitania.