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A Place to Call Home - Best Small Village in Provence
Goudargues is a small, charming village in south of France, located in the northeastern corner of the Gard département. Referred to as the Little Venice of the Gard (la petite Venise du Gard) for its three scenic canals, it is a Provence Occitane destination. Although small, it offers outdoor adventures, restaurants, “glamping,” and authentic vacation rental accommodations, often referred to known as mas and gîtes.
With a population of just over 1,100 people, it’s a popular destination with Europeans for its Provençal ambience. Goudargues remains less touristy than other well-known Provence towns to the east and hasn’t yet been widely discovered by Anglophones.
After visiting bigger, better-known cities of Provence like Aix, Saint Rémy de Provence, Avignon, and Marseille, you might seek a more intimate experience of southern France. If you’ve already visited the Lubéron, and a long-term stay in an authentic part of Provence is what you seek, then Goudargues might be the best Provence village or you.
Therefore, read on for the daily aspects of life in this French village, or check out our other articles for the highlights.
Table of Contents
But First, What is Considered Provence?
Since my first visit over 20 years ago, my husband referred to this area as Provence. However, I always thought Provence was towards the east of the Rhône river as romanticized by the Peter Mayle books, “A Year in Provence.”
Certainly, the weather, the climate, food, markets and vibe are all very provençaux.
In 2016, there was a merger of two regions, Midi-Pyrénées and Languedoc-Roussillon, into Occitanie (also referred to as Occitania). This was the historical name of the area and the language, langue d’oc.
The Tourism Office of the Gard has taken the lead on promoting this little slice of heaven as “Provence Occitane.” Here’s a link to their website with a downloadable map.
Romans and Provincia
From 2nd century AD to the 5th century Ad, the Romans ruled over the south of France. They conquered lands from the Alps in the East, to the Cévennes mountains in the northwest, all the way down to the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrénées to the southwest. The Rhône river was a strategic holding and thoroughfare which facilitated the advent of the wine-growing tradition into this part of then-Gaul.
This area was called Gallia Narbonensis. Due to its importance and proximity to Rome, it was referred to as ‘Provincia‘ or ‘the province’.
From this map you can see how our area (in orange) was part of the original Provincia.
If you are interested in learning more about the Romans in France, listen to the French History Podcast by Dr. Gary Girod. I’ve truly enjoyed the depth and breadth of his program and have learned so much. Go history!
What is it like Living in a French Village?
If you are looking for a charming village in south of France for a long-term stay, then Goudargues could be it! With easy access to explore Provence, a rich history, beautiful natural areas, and fabulous and affordable wines of the Côtes du Rhône, it’s
This delightful village boasts all essential amenities for a comfortable extended stay, making it the perfect home base for exploring Provence Occitane and the Gard department. Goudargues serves as a hub for many of the surrounding villages and offers a good range of services.
For those planning a longer visit, especially camping or caravanning, or renting a vacation home, everything can be found here or in Bagnols-sur-Cèze or Uzès.
Make sure to check store hours, as many stores, including grocery stores, close during lunch for an hour or more. On Sunday, most everything is closed after noon.
All the Essential Amenities In One Charming Village South of France
Goudargues has all these amenities making it the best Provence village for long-term stay.
Groceries
Utile (40 Route de Frigoulet) a popular supermarket chain with a wide selections of produce, refrigerated items, wines and alcohol and household supplies. Open daily. Hours (or horaires): Monday through Saturday: 8:30-12:30 and 15:00 to 19:00. Open Sunday 9:00am to noon. There’s also a rotisserie/guinguette in the parking lot operated by a local farm, La Famée (they also have a store offering farm fresh products such as meats and eggs, open
Intermarché (technically in Cornillon, 2979 Route de Barjac). A larger supermarket with frozen options and a good traîteur (prepared food) counter and nice selection of seafood and apéro options. They also have a laverie outside (a large capacity washer and dryer that takes coin, open 24/7). Open Monday through Saturday 8:30 – 19:30. Closed Sunday.
The petite primeur, Le Panier Goudarguais (3 rue de la Mairie), sells locally grown fruits and vegetables with a selection of organic grains and soups. Find hours posted outside.
There’s a butcher, Chez Vivien (6 Quai de la Fontaine) and two bakeries and three ice cream/gelato shops that we wrote about in our Goudargues Restaurant article.
Other Essentials
- There’s a Tabac, for newspapers, magazine, cigarettes, lottery and more.
- Pizza Benoit has pizza to go (à emporter).
- The Pharmacy (15 route de Pont Saint-Esprit) is always helpful for any kind of ailment.
- The Post Office (La Poste) – great for shipping heavy items home if you are taking a plane and weight is an issue.
- Nearest petrol station is at the Intermarché on the Route de Barjac
- Garage du Lavoir (7 avenue du Lavoir) is where I took the photo of the gray Citröen DS on the flatbed truck heading in for service
Settling in - Get to Know the Côtes du Rhône Gardoise Wines
Several vineyards (vignobles) and wine producers (vignerons) in the area have earned the *Côtes du Rhône designation. Some are further designated “gardois” as being in the Gard. Local domaines in Cornillon, Saint André d’Olérargues and Gressac offer tastings. Make sure to visit their domaines for a tasting (dégustation) and purchase directly, or look for their wines local restaurants or grocery stores.
With tasting rooms on Route de Barjac:
In nearby villages to south:
Domaine Chanoine Robert (They also offer vacation rentals on their property. Read this article for details.)
Here’s a Côtes du Rhône gardoises wine map. You can pick up a printed version at the Goudargues Tourism Office
Cultural Events In this Charming Provençal Village
Goudargues comes alive in the summer months. Several of the restaurants, offer live music in summer.
Here are my favorite cultural events. These events are subject to change and will be updated (last update July 1, 2024). Most events flyers are posted to Facebook groups and pages.
May – Vide-Grenier (like a multi-household garage sale/flea market) with a Retro Expo.
Mid-June – International Festival of Guitars in the Cévennes concert series.
July 14th – Fête Nationale (Bastille day) celebrations, there’s a Concours de Pétanque, soirée and DJ at the Place de l’École.
July & August Highlights:
- La Goud’Vibe – a three-day street fair with artisans, music and performances
- July & August – Les Marchés Nocturnes (night markets) happen every Friday night with food, music and local artisan crafts!
- August 15 – Fête du 15 Aout – concert with pop rock, reggae, kitsch 80s and a bodega. At Place des Sources.
Mid-December – Marché de Noël
Final Thoughts
Goudargues, with its picturesque canals and charming ambiance, stands out as one of the best Provence village for a long-term stay.
Whether you’re seeking a tranquil retreat, an authentic vacation rental, or a vibrant cultural experience, this village has it all. With its rich history, essential amenities, and delightful local wines, Goudargues provides a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration.
Its proximity to other Provençal highlights makes it an ideal base for discovering the broader region. Embrace the slower pace of life, immerse yourself in local traditions, and enjoy the serene beauty of Goudargues and Provence Occitane.
To discover more in the region, check out some of our related articles:
- Goudargues Restaurants: A Complete Guide to Canal-Side Dining
- Goudargues: Discover Provence’s Little Venice
- Best Market in Provence Uzes Marche
- Touring Uzès: A Captivating Town Near Avignon
- Avignon Wine Tours and Experiences
Liz D.
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