The above is only a very small snapshot of this location, if you have further information on this location that you think would be of use to visitors to this site you can contact me and I will include it in this page. .... Back to France...,,Home
Pezenas
We stopped off at Pezenas on our way to Nimes where we stayed overnight, unfortunately as we were up and out quite early it was still dull and spitting with rain. Never the less we enjoyed a good walk around and it was obvious that on a bright sunny day it would be a very beautiful town. The architecture is very grand and Pezenas is very popular with tourist during the summer months due to the arts and crafts. Moliere spent 4 years in Pezenas performing after the Armand de Bourbon, prince of Conti and governor of Languedoc made the town into a second Versailles. After the death of the prince in 1666 Pezenas soon returned to the sleepy town it is today (outside of the summer season). The old town is compact, set on the right bank of the Peyne river. The Hotel Lacoste (10am-noon & 3pm-7pm daily; free admission) 8 rue Oustrin, a fifteenth century palace now temporarily home to painting exhibitions and has a beautiful vaulted courtyard framed by a monumental staircase. The place de Gambetta is where you will find the tourist office which used to be a shop where Moliere would while away his time. The Maison de Metiers des Arts (10am-noon & 3pm-7pm; Daily in July and August and Weds & Fri 8:30am-11pm; free admission), is just across the square where you will find local craft work such as stained glass items, sculptures and paintings. Wherever you decide to walk off of this square you will see the carved stone facades of the wealthy merchants maisons of Renaissance Pezenas. You will see many carved faces looking down at you from above the door or window frames. Down rue Allies off of the square to the north is the Musee Vulliod-St-German (Mon-Sat 10am-noon & 3pm-7pm, Sun 3pm-7pm; € 2:29) which is supposedly concerned with the life of Moliere, but which is actually home to many sixteenth and seventeenth century artefacts, for example there are Aubusson tapestries. Moliere is not forgotten though as there are some of his writings and other personal belongings on display in another room. During the winter of 1655-1656 Molieres players put on performances in the courtyard of the Hotel d'Alfonce 32 rue Conti (June-Sept Mon-Sat 10am-noon & 3pm-7pm; € 1:52). We parked right on the main road in Pezenas where there were a few restaurants/cafes, we stopped for a drink before and after our walk around the town. Whilst walking around the shops we saw some tiny bite size tarts in a lot of the windows. Apparently these are filled with mince and the recipe is based on that of an Indian cook from Lord Clive's (the British Governor of India), household. He took a holiday in Pezenas in 1768 and the recipe remained long after. We didn't sample any of these delicious looking treats which i wish we had now as writing this is making my mouth water! Apparently the best place to try these 'petits pates' is from the Maison Aleary at 9 rue de Chevaliers de St Jean where they serve them nice and hot.
Market Day:
Pezenas--- Saturday ---General, am & pm
Information:
Office du Tourisme
place Gambetta
34120 PEZENAS
TÈl. 04 67 98 36 45
Fax 04 67 98 96 80