Most of my posts have focussed on food, wine, history and culture ( in that order; what does that say about me?) but there's plenty more to the Gard than Romans and wine. A truly varied landscape of rolling olive groves interspersed with rugged outbreaks of rock and garrigue, rising to the north and west to the Ardeche and the Cevennes. This creates endless opportunity for outdoor fun.
Hiking, kayaking, biking, rock climbing, wild swimming, hunting, riding, parascending or caving. Whether an expert or a novice there are outfitters across the area to help you enjoy your stay here.
Water based activities focus on the Gardon, Ceze and Ardeche rivers, and are easy to find. For information in one source though the Bureau des Moniteurs du Gard offers water sports including stand up paddleboarding as well as climbing, via ferrata and orienteering with workshops for adults and children. Likewise Natur'Rando who focus on bikes and kayaks. We are happy to advise on our favourite stretch of river, good picnic spots and the best outfitters.
Horse riding can be found everywhere - it's ideal trekking country with the endless trails across the garrigue.
Aerial sports, flying, ballooning, parascending can be arranged, either based around Mont Bouquet just 10 minutes from the Mas or further afield towards Nimes.
There are off road and Quad bike adventures to be had if dirt and dust are more your thing! For hunters there are day shoots - birds and for the brave, wild boar.
And for cyclists whether road or off road there are hundreds (thousands?) of kilometres of super quiet country lanes and tracks to access. Bring your own bike, rent one or opt for an electric bike and increase your range. It's a brilliant way to explore the area and now that restaurants are opening again, plan for lunch in a quintessential French village.
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