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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

  • 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 convient 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 is a comfortable 2* hotel in the very centre of Alès. It is located minutes away from many bars, restaurants and the theatre. An ideal place to stay when visiting the many attractions of the region; including the Cevennes hills and the Pont du Gare, as well as a stop over en route to Nîmes, Montpellier or Aix en Provence.

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.