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

 * 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.

Drink

 * Punky Conners (see Eat).