The 7 communes of Costières
Générac, Caissargues, Garons, Bouillargues, Manduel, Rodilhan, Redessan.
The Costières terroir
The kingdom of rolled pebbles deposited by the Rhône and Durance rivers, the Costières terroir will surprise you with the diversity of its landscapes! Look down and you'll see a mosaic of soils: white limestone, reddish pebbles, yellow sand or red clay, you'll be overwhelmed by the many colors! Now look up and contemplate the vineyards and orchards that reign supreme on the Costières plateau!
Already appreciated by the Greeks, then the Romans, the Costières vineyards are among the oldest in Europe. Present at the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, these wines were highly reputed and exported in the 16th century. In 1986, Costières du Gard became an AOC and, in 1989, took on the name Costières de Nîmes.
Les Puechs de Générac
A dozen kilometers south of Nîmes lies the pretty commune of Générac. Nestling at the foot of its seven wild hills, known as "puechs", this ancient Roman villa opens out onto the cultivated Vistrenque plain, offering a wealth of walking opportunities! So get up high and stroll from Puech to Puech, one of the village's distinctive features!
We regularly refer to the "seven hills of Générac", not unlike the legend of the 7 hills of Rome or neighboring Nîmes. But in reality, the puechs are more numerous: there are at least eight, the highest of which is the 146-metre-high Puech Dardaillon!
Cycling loop "Between vineyards and rice fields
This 51 km cyclo-discovery loop can be completed over several days. You can start by visiting the heritage-rich town of Saint-Gilles, whoseAbbey Church is aUNESCO World Heritage Site. Immerse yourself in a remarkable ecosystem at the crossroads of Bouvine and wine-growing traditions.
The vineyards of the Costières give way to rice fields and orchards to marshes. The descent between Générac and Franquevaux will charm you with breathtaking panoramic views of the region's best-known landforms and the ponds of the Camargue.
You'll also find some great spots forobserving the local flora and fauna.
