Things to do in the Congénies area and surroundings

If you are looking for a few days' holiday with or without a car, or maybe a family break in the South of France there are all sorts of varied possibilities.  First of all, the large garden of the Maison Quaker itself is a pleasant place to sit and rest.

Without a car: a few buses (see timetable here) come through the village from Nîmes to Sommières (passing through other pretty villages in the Vaunage valley), and there is a taxi service that offers reasonable charges. (04 66 80 16 28, mobile 06 86 55 41 55).  Both towns have a lot to offer visitors.  Bikes can be hired and delivered to Congénies.

There are many walks around the village - to the neighbouring village of Calvisson (shops, banks, museum, restaurants) 3 km. via the back lanes or over the garrigue (the typical Mediterranean scrubland all around the hills above the Vaunage plain).  . Other charming villages nearby include Aubais (château and art gallery), Junas (Roman quarries – jazz festival in July), Aujargues (supermarket), Nages (oppidum).

There is peace and wonderful wildlife - birds, plants and scents all within a few minutes of the Maison Quaker.  Just above the village is an amazing outdoor private collection of sculpted stones resembling all manner of animals (about 20 mins from the back of the village). A leaflet from the Mairie (open 0900-midday) shows you how to find it.

With bicycles or on foot the possibilities are extended. You can hire bicycles which can be delivered to and collected from Congénies.  A new voie verte (dedicated green route) 20 km long and on the flat has recently been opened; it follows the old railway line from Caveirac to the mediaeval town of Sommières. It is asphalted and makes for a delightful bike ride or skating track. You reach the track from Congénies near the old Cave Co-operative to the south of the village.  The track takes you past olive groves and vineyards, and is very safe for children.

With a car: Nîmes is about 30 minutes away (Roman amphitheatre, Maison Carrée (Roman temple), with Norman Foster’s library, the Carré d’Art nearby, the Roman Tour Magne and the beautiful shady Jardins de la Fontain, the mediaeval city centre with many excellent shops and restaurants). The Pont du Gard (Roman aqueduct World Heritage Site) is 40 minutes away.  To the south, the Camargue nature reserve and the beaches of the Mediterranean are also easily reached.

To the north-west (40 minutes’ drive) is the mountainous national park of the Cevennes. A lovely day out includes the 13 km steam train ride from Anduze with a stop-off on the way to St Jean du Gard at La Bambouseraie (a park containing many species of giant bamboo, and smaller ones too, unique in Europe).  Other local museums and attractions can be discovered through the tourist offices in Sommières or Nîmes (follow links above)

Outdoor activities include rafting and canoeing, fishing, swimming, horse-riding, golfing, gliding.

Market days (usually 08h00 -12h30):

Sunday: Aigues Mortes, Calvisson, St. Gilles; Marchés aux Puces: Alès, Anduze, Nîmes

Monday: Nîmes, Aigues Vives, Vergèze

Tuesday: Aimargues, Gallargues le Montueux

Wednesday: Aigues Vives, Quissac, Sommières, Vauvert

Thursday: Sauve, Uchaud, Vergèze

Friday: Aimargues, St Hippolyte du fort, St. Ambroix, St. Quentin la Poterie; Organic produce market in Nîmes

Saturday: Aigues-Vives, Sauve, Sommières, Uzès, Vauvert.

Shops in Congénies: Baker (open 7 am to 12.30, closed Thursdays); very good Greengrocer with some groceries chez Helene; hairdresser; butcher's van Weds 10-11 am.  (Sadly the fishmonger no longer calls).