With a population of around 700,000, living in the Gard department means you can discover its rich culture. There are many festivals throughout the year, which makes this a popular choice for tourists and holidaymakers. There are hundreds of places of interest to explore, 250 days of sunshine per year to bask in and endless breathtaking scenery to enjoy. You will find several vineyards within the department. The Gardon and Rhone rivers run through the department.
The Gard department has excellent transport links. It’s served by two major airports - Montpellier and Nimes. From Nimes Airport, you can connect to the high-speed intercity rail service TGV, which is operated by SNCF. This provides links to Paris, where you can travel onwards to other major European cities.
Choosing to live in Gard means you can experience an authentic French lifestyle. The department is centred around and just north of its capital, Nimes. This captivating area has a rich history - it’s home to several well-preserved Roman monuments including the Arena of Nimes and UNESCO-listed Pont du Gard aqueduct. History buffs will enjoy tracing the footsteps of the Romans from the Pont du Gard to Nimes.
The Gard department includes a variety of historic towns and pretty villages, many of which host regular cultural activities and vibrant festivals. One of the key benefits to living in Gard is its proximity to the neighbouring Herault department. Living in Gard is a fantastic choice if you want to enjoy all of the benefits of the Mediterranean lifestyle in a more affordable area of France.
The majority of the department is inland, although it includes a small area of Mediterranean coastline close to Aigues-Mortes. The Gard geography is diverse and offers a host of scenic landscapes. To the south, you’ll find the gorgeous beaches at Le Grau-du-Roi and La Grand Motte, both of which are just a 40-minute drive from Nimes. To the north, you can experience the wild mountain ranges of Cevennes National Park and the Camargue wetlands, the largest stretch of wetland in France. Here you can discover a protected bird sanctuary that’s home to pink flamingos.
The rolling mountains and coastline makes the Gard department perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling and horseback riding. You can also enjoy swimming in the Mediterranean or canoeing in the River Ceze.
Places of Interest in Gard
Whether you’re thinking of living in Gard on a permanent basis or you want to buy a holiday home in France, the department has a range of excellent attractions and places of interest, including:
- Nimes - Visit this City of Art and History to see the renowned Roman ruins, including the amphitheatre and Pont du Gard
- Villeneuve-lez-Avignon - Explore the monuments on the banks of the Rhone river
- Visit traditional villages including charming medieval Castillon-du-Gard and Saint-Victor-la-Coste with its ruined castle. Lussan is a small medieval village with two castles, and Barjac is a quiet town with cobbled streets and wonderful views
- Head to Le Grau-du-Roi to enjoy a day at the beach. You’ll find this coastal resort between Montpellier and Aigues-Mortes
- See the famous white horses and pink flamingos in the Camargue wetlands
- Explore some of the most beautiful villages in France, including La Roque-Sur-Ceze, Aigueze and Montclus
- Take a walk along the Gorges de l'Aiguillon
- Plan a day trip to Aven d’Orgnac Caves, the deepest show cave in France. Another option is Grotte de Trabuc, the largest cave system in the Cevennes, with waterfalls, stalactites and stalagmites
- Experience the beauty of Cevennes National Park
- Buy local produce from the Arles farmer’s market
What Cities are in Gard?
The department has several major cities, including Nimes, Ales, Beaucaire, Saint-Gilles, Vauvert, Marguerittes, Les Angles, Le Grau-du-Roi, Aigues-Mortes, Rochefort-du-Gard, Bellegarde and Bouillargues.
Best Places to Live in Gard
The varied landscape in Gard is one of the most attractive prospects of living in the Gard department. There are coastal areas, vineyards, mountains and wildlife to explore, as well as an array of interesting towns and cities.
The department also has a rich history - many Roman settlers remained in Gard and their legacy lives on in places like Nimes, Pont du Gard and Maison Carree.
If you’re considering living in Gard, you’ll find a range of property types to choose from, including country homes, villas, townhouses and apartments. People living in France enjoy some of the best standards of living in the world, so the property prices are relatively high. That said, you can still find homes in Gard to suit every budget. If you’re willing to buy a home to renovate, you will be able to get more for your money. To learn more, check out our step-by-step guide to buying property in France.
Aigueze
This picturesque village is situated in the north of the department close to Nimes. Built around an ancient fortress, it sits proudly on top of a cliff and overlooks the river Ardeche. This small yet charming village has a population of around 220 people, with around a quarter of people living here aged 65 or over. You can expect to pay around €300,000 for a three-bedroom property requiring renovation.
Uzes
This chic, upmarket town is one of the more expensive options in the department. The ideal place to retire to, it is an official City of Art and History. At the centre of Uzes, you’ll find the Place aux Herbes, a pretty plaza with a fountain at its centre. This central hub is home to the town’s bi-weekly market, famous as one of the biggest in the South of France. The town also has a Haribo museum, so it’s perfect for treating the grandchildren! Uzes has a population of around 10,000 and 35% of inhabitants are aged 65 years or over. You can expect to pay around €900,000 for a five-bedroom villa. If you’re looking for something smaller, you can expect to pay in the region of €240,000 for a two-bedroom apartment.
Nimes
This city has been named as the number one place to retire in France by Le Figaro newspaper. This rating takes into account its healthcare facilities, quality of life, house prices, local facilities and activities. This pretty city is between the Mediterranean Sea and the Cevennes mountains. The Camargue wetlands and the Alps are also within easy reach.
The population of Nimes is estimated to be around 150,000 and 21% of the people living here are aged 65 or over. You can expect to pay in the region of €900,000 for a large five-bedroom villa in the hills. If you want to be in the city centre, you can expect to pay around €975,000 for a well-appointed three-bedroom apartment with city views. If you’re looking for something smaller, you can buy a one-bedroom apartment close to Saint-Baudile Church for around €200,000.
Les Angles
This charming city is well-known for its production of olive oil from Provence. There are many attractions to visit and admire, including historic monuments and Cosmos Park. The population of Les Angles is estimated to be around 9,000 and 32% of the people living here are aged 65 years or over. You can expect to pay in the region of €500,000 for a large contemporary villa with three bedrooms and a swimming pool.
Bellegarde
This stunning town offers a slower pace of life than some of the other options in Gard. It’s a popular choice for wildlife spotting and birdwatching, so nature lovers will be in their element here. You can go snowboarding in the winter and rambling in the summer. You can also enjoy water sports such as kayaking, fishing and white-water rafting. The population of Bellegarde is approximately 7,500 and 18% of people living here are aged 65 years or older. You can expect to pay in the region of €1,500,000 for an eight-bedroom villa in a countryside location.
Cost of Living in Gard
Living in Gard is relatively affordable when compared with average prices in France. If you’re thinking of renting a property in France, you can expect to pay between €530 and €1,300 per month in exchange for a one-bedroom city-centre apartment. If you want to live in a three-bedroom home in a rural area, you can expect to pay between €750 and €2,000 rent per month. If you want to buy a home, the national average buying price is around €3,200 per square metre, compared with €2,800 per square metre in the Gard department.
Nimes is one of the most expensive places to live in the department. In Nimes, you can expect to pay around €2800 per month (including rent) in monthly living expenses for a family of four. The living expenses including rent for a single person are around €1100. This is close to the world’s average cost of living.
The overall cost of living in France is around 5% more than in the UK. However, the exact cost of living will depend on your preferred lifestyle. If you choose to live in the Gard, you can expect to pay significantly less than in an urban city like Paris. White goods like dishwashers, washing machines and tumble driers are often expensive in France, but you can expect to pay similar monthly bills for utilities as you would in the UK. You may wish to factor in the cost of air conditioning, as it can be very hot in the department over the summer months.
If you’re thinking about buying a house to renovate in Gard, you’ll need to consider the cost of paying for DIY materials and tools, which tend to be more costly in France than in the UK.
Alcohol is much cheaper in Fench restaurants and bars than it is in the UK. You will also find the price of alcohol to be lower in the supermarkets in France. If you enjoy dining out, you can often enjoy a three-course set menu with wine for around €15 per person in France.
If you’re thinking about retiring to France, you must consult a currency broker before you make any decisions. It is also important to look at the currency exchange rate.
Weather and Air Quality in Gard
The Gard department enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and hot, sunny summers. The warmest months of the year are June, July and August, with high temperatures of 28 degrees Celsius, 31 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius respectively. Thunderstorms are possible during the hot summer months. The mistral winds blow regularly and this can feel cold at times.
Snow is rare but not unheard of in the winter months. The sea temperature in the Gulf of Lion is rarely warm - the highest temperature it reaches is around 22 degrees Celsius between July and September. The annual precipitation rate is around 760mm on average.
The air quality in the Gard is generally excellent.
History and Culture in the Gard
The Gard department was settled by the Romans. It is one of 83 departments created by the French Revolution in 1790. During the 19th-century, it was an early beneficiary of railway development and went on to become an important railway junction. This led to a rapid increase in wine growing activities, although many of the vineyards were wiped out by phylloxera insects in 1872.
Part of the Cevennes National Park is located within the Gard department. This includes important Roman architectural remains and the Pont du Gard, a famous Roman aqueduct. This UNESCO World Heritage site is now the setting for a variety of cultural events, including firework displays, balls, concerts and shows. Living in Gard means you’ll be close to several Cities of Art and History, including Nimes, Uzes and Beaucaire.