Positioned on the banks of the Gardon River, Ales is a historic town that’s long been intertwined with France’s coal industry. It’s clustered with centuries-old churches, palaces and a fort inspired by Vauban and serves as a gateway to the granite peaks of Cévennes National Park.
Things to do in Alès
In the heart of Ales is the Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste, which was established in the 17th century on the site of a Carolingian church. It lies near the start of the Regordane Way, a medieval pilgrimage route that links Paris to Languedoc and the Camargue. A short stroll from the cathedral is Fort Vauban, which is named for its star-shaped design that was a signature of Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban.
Artwork by Picasso, Braque and Miró are on display at the Musée-Bibliothèque Pierre-André-Benoit, which is based on the collection of a local art publisher. In addition to its permanent collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures and gouaches, the museum features a library housing more than 400 vintage books and regularly hosts temporary exhibitions.
For insight into the region’s mining history, pay a visit to the Mine Témoin d’Alès, which was established in 1945 to train apprentice miners. As you explore its 700 metres of galleries, you can learn about Alesian mining from 1880 to the present day and the role it has played in the region’s cultural identity.
Getting around Alès
Ales is around 40 minutes’ drive from Nîmes and just under an hour from Nîmes Alès Camargue Cévennes Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. The much-larger Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport is just over an hour away. Regular trains connect to the Ales railway station while the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot.