Sommieres

River with trees on the banks, sun shining on the water, reflections of the trees in the water

The river Vidourle runs right through Sommières

Masked people dressed in colourful garb, on stilts

Carnival time in the old part of the town

Stall displaying myriad cheeses

The market in Sommières on a Saturday morning is a Mecca for foodies

Stall with oranges and chestnuts

There are fresh fruit and vegetables galore in the Saturday morning market

La ville médiévale de Sommières, située au bord du Vidourle, se trouve à 25 minutes du gîte. A l’époque romaine, un pont y a été érigé pour permettre le passage de la voie romaine venant de Nîmes et se dirigeant vers Toulouse. Quelques vestiges en témoignent encore. Dominant le dédale de petites ruelles, le château de Sommières date du 10ème ou 11ème siècle et offre une vue imprenable sur la campagne environnante. Halte incontournable pour l’atmosphère qu’elle dégage et son ensemble architectural des plus pittoresques, la ville est particulièrement animée le samedi matin lorsqu’elle accueille l’un des plus grands marchés des environs.

The Mediaeval town of Sommières, located along the banks of the river Vidourle, is just 25 minutes away from the gite. It was situated along the Roman way from Nimes to Toulouse, as evidenced by the remains of a bridge that can still be seen. Towering above the labyrinthine streets is Sommières castle which dates back to the 10th or 11th century and commands impressive views over the surrounding countryside. This atmospheric town is an absolute must-visit at any time but on Saturday mornings it hosts one of the largest and most varied markets in the area.