Alès

Alès is a small town in Languedoc-Roussillon, France.

Although known as the capital of the Cevennes, you may have a hard time getting to Alès, partly because it's off the well-trod tourist track, and partly because everyone will assume you want to go to nearby, and bigger, Arles.

Tourism Office (open 9 - 12, 1:30-5:30) Place de l'Hôtel de Ville - BP 345 - 30115 Alès Cedex. 04 66 52 32 15 - Fax. 04 66 52 57 09

Get in

Map of Alès

Local trains run from Avignon via Nîmes. A change is sometimes required.
Local buses also stop in Ales at the train station.
By car is probably the most convenient way to reach Ales and to see the surrounding countryside. From the A7, exit Bollène. From the A9 exit at Nîmes-Ouest.
The nearest airport is in Nîmes.

Get around

The town is small enough to see on foot. A few taxis are available, either at the train station or by phone.

See

Cathédrale Saint Jean
Fort Vauban / Le Bosquet -- Historic fort, gardens and summer outdoor theatre.
La Tour Vieille -- Botanical Garden and playground.
La colline de l'Ermitage -- Small hill with a chapel on the top with great views over Alès. It's a lovely place to walk up to and take a picnic.
Mine Témoin -- Museum about Alès' mining history.

Events

Film Festival -- March. Art-house cinema.
Feria d'Alès -- May 20–24. The town is taken over by this four day festival. Good food and drink, music, traditional bull fighting and the running of the bulls through the streets.
Carnival
Cratère Surface -- Beginning of July. Street theatre and music.
Les Fous Chantants -- Last week of July. Choir with a thousand singers, performances throughout the week and a spectacular final concert.

Buy

Alès has a number of small shops and boutiques. There is a central covered food market every weekday morning, and a larger general market on a Monday which sells traditional items.

Eat

Punky Conners, 44 Place Pierre Semard (across from the train station). Irish Pub. Traditional pub food including a great lamb stew. Very friendly English-speaking staff and locals.

Drink

Punky Conners (see Eat).

Sleep

Hotel Orly. A comfortable two-star hotel with 28 rooms.

Go next

This city travel guide to Alès is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.