What to do in Anduze: visits and free tips

Key takeaways

The gateway to the Cévennes on the banks of the Gardon, Anduze can largely be visited for free: the old town, the clock tower, the pagoda fountain of 1649, the Protestant temple completed in 1823, the Anduze vase potteries and swimming in the Gardon. The two paid visits not to miss are the Bambouseraie, created in 1856 by Eugène Mazel, and the Cévennes steam train, which links Anduze to Saint-Jean-du-Gard over about 13 km with a stop at the garden.

The gateway to the Cévennes, set on the banks of the Gardon, Anduze draws many visitors every year for its Bambouseraie, its steam train and its famous vases. Good news for small budgets: much of its charm can be discovered for free, from the lanes of the old town to the pebble beaches of the river.

Here is what to do in Anduze: the must-see visits, the free activities, our tips for a savvy stay and where to sleep for less.

Anduze at a glance

Information	At a glance
Where?	In the Gard, between Alès and Saint-Jean-du-Gard, at the foot of the Cévennes
Emblems	The Bambouseraie, the Cévennes steam train, the Anduze vase
Free	The old town, the pagoda fountain, swimming in the Gardon, hiking
Paid	The Bambouseraie, the steam train, some guided tours
Time needed	One day for the essentials, two to three days with the Cévennes around
Best time	Spring and September, milder and less crowded than summer

The must-see visits

The Bambouseraie

About 2 km from the centre, the Bambouseraie de Prafrance was created in 1856 by Eugène Mazel, a botany enthusiast. Over some fifteen hectares, its avenues of giant bamboo, its Japanese garden and its greenhouses create a surprisingly exotic setting at the gateway to the Cévennes. It is the paid visit most worth the detour: allow half a day.

The Cévennes steam train

In season, the steam train links Anduze to Saint-Jean-du-Gard over about 13 km of viaducts and tunnels in the Gardon valley, in around forty minutes. It stops at the Bambouseraie, so you can combine the two visits. Check the timetable before you go: it varies with the season.

The Anduze vase

Born in the early 17th century, the Anduze vase, with its garlands and flame-like colours, has become the emblem of southern French gardens. Several potteries in the town still make it in the traditional way, and some are open to visitors free of charge, with demonstrations of the production stages. A free and fascinating visit, even if you buy nothing.

What to do for free in Anduze?

stroll through the old town: narrow lanes, the clock tower, a former medieval watchtower, and the market square;
admire the pagoda fountain, built in 1649, with its roof of glazed tiles, unique in the region;
see the Protestant temple, completed in 1823 and listed as a historic monument, a witness to the Protestant history of the Cévennes;
swim in the Gardon, on the pebble beaches around the town, respecting the authorised areas;
hike the trails overlooking the town and the valley, for a view of the gateway to the Cévennes.

Our tips for a savvy stay

combine the steam train and the Bambouseraie on the same day, thanks to the train’s stop at the garden;
come in May, June or September: fewer people, cheaper accommodation and bearable heat;
shop at markets and from local producers: Cévennes sweet onions, pélardon cheese, honey;
picnic by the Gardon rather than eating at a restaurant every day;
after a storm, do not swim: the Gardon can rise very quickly.

What to do around Anduze?

At the end of the steam train line, Saint-Jean-du-Gard is the starting point of the Corniche des Cévennes, a ridge road with superb views, and a stage on the Stevenson Trail. To the east, Alès and its demonstration mine tell the story of the area’s mining past. Further away, the Pont du Gard, about an hour away, rounds off a stay in the Gard perfectly.

Where to sleep for less near Anduze?

In Saint-Jean-du-Gard, at the end of the steam train line, Camping Mas de la Cam welcomes campers from spring to the end of summer, on the banks of the Gardon, a handy base for discovering Anduze and the Cévennes. Also browse all our cheap campsites in Anduze and in the Gard.

Our verdict

Anduze is one of the most pleasant stops in the Gard, and one of the easiest to visit on a small budget. Save your money for the Bambouseraie and the steam train, which are really worth it, and enjoy the rest for free: the old town, the potteries, the Gardon and the trails. With two or three days, you will also have time to drive up the Corniche des Cévennes.

Sources

Théo

Product Manager Aimer Camper, spécialiste SEO HPA

Théo Mercier-Balaz pilote les portails camping du réseau Aimer Camper depuis plus de dix ans, au contact quotidien des campings partenaires.

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frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about Anduze

What to do in Anduze?

Visit the Bambouseraie, take the Cévennes steam train to Saint-Jean-du-Gard, discover the Anduze vase potteries, stroll through the old town and swim in the Gardon.

What to do for free in Anduze?

Walk around the old town, see the clock tower, the pagoda fountain of 1649 and the Protestant temple, visit some potteries, swim in the Gardon and hike around the town.

Can you combine the Bambouseraie and the steam train?

Yes, the steam train stops at the Bambouseraie between Anduze and Saint-Jean-du-Gard, so you can do both visits on the same day. Check the timetable, which varies with the season.

Where to swim in Anduze?

In the Gardon, on the pebble beaches around the town, respecting the authorised areas. Avoid swimming after a storm, as the river can rise very quickly.

When to visit Anduze?

In spring and September, when it is mild, the sites are less crowded and accommodation is cheaper than in July and August.

Where to sleep for less near Anduze?

In Saint-Jean-du-Gard, at the end of the steam train line, Camping Mas de la Cam welcomes campers on the banks of the Gardon, from spring to the end of summer.

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