As France prepares for the Paris 2024 Olympics, the medieval town of Uzès in southern France is gearing up to welcome visitors drawn to the region’s charm, history, and Provençal lifestyle.
Paris 2024: France Welcomes the World
The Paris 2024 Olympics will run from July 26 to August 11, 2024. It will be the first time since 1924 that the French capital has hosted the Games, and the scale is unprecedented: more than 10 million tickets are expected to be sold.
Paris itself will be transformed into a sporting arena, with beach volleyball under the Eiffel Tower, equestrian events at the Palace of Versailles, and athletics at the Stade de France. But this Olympics will also stretch well beyond the capital.
Events are scheduled in Marseille, Nice, Lyon, and Bordeaux, ensuring that visitors from across the globe discover more of France than ever before. For travelers headed south, that opens a path straight into the heart of Uzès.
Venues for the 2024 Olympic Games
Olympic Venues in the South of France
The Mediterranean coast will play a starring role in the Games.
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Marseille will host Olympic sailing and ten football matches.
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Nice will welcome football fans and the Olympic Torch Relay.
With trains and highways linking Paris to the Riviera, many visitors will travel through Occitanie and Provence — regions that include Avignon, Nîmes, the Pont du Gard, and the medieval duchy of Uzès. For international travelers seeking experiences beyond stadiums, Uzès is ideally situated for discovery.
A Renaissance in the Heart of Uzès
Even before the Paris 2024 Olympics, Uzès was preparing for its own transformation. The plaza around the Château du Duché has been completely redesigned. Once a car park, it is now the Place Marquise de Crussol — a pedestrian-friendly square paved in stone, shaded by trees, and animated with fountains and seating.
The new square has already become a gathering place for concerts, art shows, and summer night markets. For Olympic travelers, it offers the perfect place to pause and soak in the town’s atmosphere.
Château du Duché: Symbol of Uzès
The Château du Duché, built by the Crussol family in the 12th century, still dominates the skyline of Uzès. Its medieval towers and Renaissance façades tell the story of centuries of French history.
Surrounding the Château are the Hôtel de Ville, centuries-old residences, shops, and even the ruins of a medieval watchtower. The new plaza frames these landmarks beautifully, making Uzès a natural stage for the town’s history.
From the Duché to Place aux Herbes
New walkways now connect the Château to Place aux Herbes, Uzès’ most beloved square. The arcaded marketplace, lined with cafés and boutiques, has long been a favorite for locals. During the Paris 2024 Olympics, it will be a magnet for visitors eager to experience the legendary Saturday market or linger under the plane trees with a glass of wine.
The path between the Duché and Place aux Herbes, once a quiet lane, is now a promenade for travelers to enjoy the best of Uzès.
Preserving Heritage While Preparing for Crowds
Beyond the plazas, Uzès has invested in significant improvements:
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Restoring the historic ring road, once part of the town’s medieval defenses.
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Renovating façades and upgrading street lighting.
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Adding fountains, public restrooms, and new signage to improve the visitor experience.
These updates ensure that Uzès maintains its medieval character while welcoming larger numbers of guests. It’s a delicate balance — preserving the past while preparing for the future.
All Roads Lead to Uzès
As the Paris 2024 Olympics draw visitors across France, Uzès will be ready. Its plazas and markets are revitalized, its streets are pedestrian-friendly, and its heritage shines brighter than ever.
For travelers, it’s the perfect chance to discover a town often called the “first duchy of France.” For Uzès, it’s a historic moment — welcoming the world at the very time it is unveiling a new chapter in its story.
13 Responses
Thank you for this very informative article and for all that you do to spread awareness of wonderful Uzès .
My wife and I have lived here for the past fifteen years and have loved every minute of it. When we first arrived there were many old buildings in need of love and attention but these simply added to the magical atmosphere. Over the years it would seem that each and almost every one of them has had the makeover that they richly deserved and this beautiful and unique town has become ever more stunning.
Whether the Olympic crowds will presage a time to be far away for a couple of weeks or to stay and join in the fun, for us the jury is still out! But either way thank you again as to be forewarned is to be forearmed!
Thank you, Paul. It’s pretty obvious I love this place. You have an even longer time frame to have seen the changes. They’ve been pretty subtle up until now, but what a difference no parking lot at the Duchè will make (good for some, not so good for others, but a change!) I really appreciate your taking the time to comment. Bests!
They have also upgraded the little courtyard between Oustal and La Fountain on Place aux Herbes. There is a new fountain, benches, and stone replacement. The Archiologists were there for awhile but I don’t know if they found anything. It happened relatively quickly.
Thanks, Paula! It’s going to be a beautiful place — if it can get any better!
Thanks for the update. Look forward to seeing all the improvements. We’ll have to get together before the 26th! Look forward to seeing you. Jim will be there too.
We’ll make a plan to visit, for sure. You’ll be amazed how lovely this renovation is making the center of town. Thanks for the note. See you soon.
Thanks, Deborah (and Paula too) so much for this information. My husband and I will be back in Uzes in April and are looking forward to seeing these improvements! Making an already beautiful place even more beautiful. Jane & Jack (from California).
Thanks for your note. You’ll be here before I’m back from my States visit, so hope you’re here until late April. It’s going to be amazing when all the dust settles!
We will. Look forward to seeing you. And thanks again for the wonderful news about Uzes.
We loved Le Place des Herbs and visited it many times when we stayed in the area for 3 months in a home in Arpaillargues . WE ENJOYED LE DEJEUNER a le Terroirs and the lovely gifts and local wines sold there. What has happened to this special cafe? The owners and staff were very hospitable and gave us some local information regarding Uzes and the surrounding area. I hope they are still there!
Yes, happily Terroirs is still here. Talk about an institution! Uzès would not be the same without them. A blessing! Looking forward to your return. Thanks for keeping in touch!
Merci Deborah pour toutes ces belles informations sur notre uzes tres belle photos bisous Rosy
Merci Rosy. J’adore t’avoir comme ami toutes ces années. Bisous