Sommières

Between the Camargue and the Cevennes, Sommières sets at the heart of the vineyards, in the upcountry of the Languedoc. It is a lovely medieval village listed as a « Petite Cité de Caractère ». The preserved medieval town centre is definitely worth a visit, particularly for the medieval events taking place on the castle’s courtyard. The market square is lovely for its arches with surprising dimensions and forms, lifting up the houses in case of a flood. Stairs have been built in the pillars, to link the houses to the market square. During the 1st century, a bridge was built over the Vidourle river, in order to connect Nîmes to Toulouse. After the Pont du Gard, this is the regions’ most famous Roman bridge. During the 10th century, Sommières was built on this bridge, of which only a few arches are still visible today.