Unusual accommodation in the Gard: 12 original places to stay
From the Cévennes to the Camargue, via medieval towns and vineyards, the Gard is a destination with a thousand facets. With its exceptional Roman heritage, picturesque villages and unspoilt countryside, this sunny département in the south of France is the ideal setting for a relaxing getaway. To enhance your stay and enjoy a truly unique experience, what could be better than unusual accommodation? Tree houses, floating barges, winegrowers’ barrels or stone castles: discover our selection of 12 unusual accommodations in the Gard that will turn your weekend into an unforgettable memory.
See also the Nîmes guide :
- Visit Nîmes in 1 day: 26 things to do and see on foot
- Top 10 culinary specialities in Nîmes
- The 9 most beautiful villages to discover around Nîmes
- Discover the Nîmes Gastronomy Fair
- What to do around Montpellier with your family?
- The 10 best bike rides in and around Montpellier
- 20 must-see weekend ideas around Montpellier
- 3 beautiful villages not to be missed during your stay in the Alpilles
- Visiting the Pont du Gard: information, prices and advice
1. Villa in the trees in Calvisson
To kick off our selection of unusual accommodation in the Gard, head for Calvisson and the Villa Occitana, nestling in the heart of a verdant pine forest between vineyards and garrigue. This magnificent tree house offers an unforgettable romantic and ecological experience. Entirely built from fragrant pinewood, it has a suspended terrace with a private hot tub, so you can take full advantage of the scent of thyme and the surrounding nature.
Accommodating up to 3 travellers, this unusual accommodation combines luxury, comfort and authenticity. The village of Calvisson, in the heart of the Vaunage, is also well worth a visit, with its charming Sunday market featuring local produce and crafts. Just a short drive from Nîmes, you can easily reach the Roman city to discover its heritage treasures.
2. Boat room in Gallician
Head for the Camargue for this second unusual accommodation in the Gard! The Lodge Boat, moored on the Canal du Rhône à Sète in the heart of the small hamlet of Gallician, invites you to a unique floating getaway. This houseboat offers an intimate setting right on the water, lulled by the lapping waves and surrounded by the wildlife of the Camargue. Just a stone’s throw from Vauvert and Aigues-Mortes, this accommodation for 2 travellers is perfect for lovers of nature and tranquillity.
The Lodge Boat is also close to the Scamandre Regional Nature Reserve, an exceptional site for observing pink flamingos, herons and other protected species. This experience on the water will let you live to the rhythm of Camargue traditions, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. A real haven of peace for couples to recharge their batteries.
3. Cardinal suite at Servas
If you’re a fan of history and the medieval atmosphere, this unusual accommodation in the Gard is for you! In Servas, in the heart of the Garrigues, a cardinal suite plunges you into the fascinating world of the Middle Ages. Draped in glowing fabrics, lit by subdued lights and furnished with authentic period pieces, this room offers a complete change of scenery. The dark wood and hushed atmosphere perfectly recreate the atmosphere of a fortified castle.
The establishment offers top-of-the-range services, including candlelit dinners in medieval costume (hire on site). You will also enjoy an aquatic bar, a jacuzzi and sauna area, as well as a shaded dining area with barbecue. This accommodation for 2 people guarantees complete medieval immersion in a relaxing natural setting in the heart of the Gard department.
4. Winegrower’s barrel in Sommières
Do you love wine tourism? This unusual accommodation in the Gard region is sure to please! At Domaine de Massereau, a renowned vineyard in the Sommières region, sleep in an authentic, life-size winegrower’s barrel. La Tourie, a nod to red wine aged in oak barrels, is cosy accommodation for 2 people, with its rounded shapes and all-wood world creating a unique cocooning atmosphere.
This romantic accommodation combines rustic charm with modern facilities for optimum comfort. You can taste the estate’s wines while enjoying the enchanting setting of the vineyards. Domaine de Massereau (Route de Caveirac, 30250 Sommières) offers a complete wine and food experience. The village of Sommières is also well worth a visit, with its Estivales, night markets and Saturday morning markets attracting lovers of local produce.
5. Canal barge at Aigues-Mortes
Back on the water for this fifth unusual accommodation in the Gard! The Coradine barge, dating from 1948, has a lot of charm with its mahogany wood cladding. Moored at the foot of the medieval town of Aigues-Mortes, it offers spacious, fully-equipped accommodation for 2 to 4 travellers. Jacuzzi access, sun loungers and a barbecue make for convivial moments with family or friends.
This floating accommodation plunges you into the heart of the wild Camargue, with a breathtaking view of the famous ramparts of Aigues-Mortes. The exceptional natural environment allows you to observe white horses, black bulls and pink flamingos in their natural habitat. Make the most of your stay to discover the Aigues-Mortes salt marshes and their enchanting pink colours, as well as the rich heritage of this medieval fortified town, unique in France.
Download the audio-guided tour to discover Nîmes on foot and on your own
If you’re staying in the Gard, be sure to visit Nîmes on the Navaway audio tour. Discover 26 places of interest along a 6.2 km route that takes you from the Roman Arena to the Maison Carrée, via the Jardins de la Fontaine and the Tour Magne. The app guides you interactively with fun audio guides and captivating anecdotes for a self-guided, rewarding tour of “French Rome”. Let yourself be guided on your exploration of Nîmes thanks to this complete itinerary that reveals all the secrets of this two-thousand-year-old city.
6. Cabane du salin in Aigues-Mortes
Also in Aigues-Mortes, the Cabanes Salines offer a unique experience on the edge of the famous pink salt marshes. These cottages for 2 people blend harmoniously into the exceptional landscape of the salt marshes. You’ll be immersed in an unspoilt environment where the magical hues of the salt marshes blend together – from pink to blue to green, depending on the season and the light.
This unusual accommodation in the Gard offers the chance to observe rare biodiversity in a solitary and peaceful setting. Several discovery trails and a private beach are accessible from the cabins. You can sample local wines from the salt marshes while admiring the natural spectacle of changing colours. Cabanes Salines is the ideal accommodation for nature lovers and photographers, with breathtaking scenery at any time of day.
7. Tent in the trees in Anduze
Head to the Cévennes to discover the Gard version of glamping! In Anduze, a picturesque village in the Cévennes, a tent perched in the trees awaits you for a natural and comfortable stay. This unusual accommodation for 2 people has everything you need for cooking, a charming fully-equipped terrace and, above all, a soothing panorama of the Cévennes countryside.
Anduze is the ideal starting point for exploring the listed Cévennes landscape, recognised by UNESCO for its great beauty and exceptional biodiversity. There’s no shortage of things to do, from forest walks to swimming in crystal-clear rivers and discovering the Protestant heritage. The famous Bamboo Grove of Anduze is also nearby, offering an exotic walk in the heart of Europe. This accommodation perfectly combines adventure and tranquillity in unspoilt surroundings.
8. Stone castle in Uzès
Live like a lord in this magnificent stone château near Uzès! The Orades estate and park are home to a splendid 18th-century manor house that has preserved its original stonework. This prestigious building has a number of suites and rooms to welcome visitors looking for a taste of château life in an authentic, grandiose setting.
Each room has its own style: baroque suite, elegant suite in pink tones, or independent gte. The immense wooded grounds feature an outdoor swimming pool, a terrace bathed in Mediterranean sunshine and a barbecue under the pool house. This unusual accommodation in the Gard boasts a privileged location close to Uzès, France’s first ducal town, and all the department’s exceptional sites, including the Pont du Gard. A charming address for a timeless stay in the calm typical of the south of France.
9. Stone cottage in Saint-Victor-la-Coste
This unusual accommodation in the Gard region stands in the grounds of a 16th-century château in Saint-Victor-la-Coste. Entirely clad in authentic stone, this chalet for 2 people offers a rustic stay in an exceptional historic setting. The interior has retained its typical regional decor while incorporating modern facilities for your comfort.
Between the ancient stones and contemporary materials, you’ll enjoy a shared swimming pool and superb gardens. The château offers a most photogenic and rejuvenating setting for a romantic getaway. The village of Saint-Victor-la-Coste is a listed old village, surrounded by ramparts and surrounded by greenery, dominated by Cévennes culture. Its medieval streets and ruined castle perched high up are well worth a visit during your stay in this characterful accommodation.
10. Caravan in Arpaillargues-et-Aureillac
For lovers of nature and authenticity, this gypsy caravan nestling in the middle of a wood of hundred-year-old oaks is a real gem! In Arpaillargues-et-Aureillac, this cosy, traditional accommodation for 2 people has been converted to give you total independence in the middle of the forest, out of sight and sound.
The gipsy caravan has a lovely wooden terrace where you can enjoy summer evenings under the stars or a vitamin D cure in the sun. This type of unusual accommodation in the Gard allows you to reconnect with the essentials in an unspoilt environment. You’re also just a few minutes from Uzès, so you can combine a nature break with a cultural discovery of this magnificent ducal town with its castle, Fenestrelle tower and lively squares. A perfect balance between rural tranquillity and rich heritage.
11. Authentic Mazet in Uzès
Le Mazet d’Uzès introduces you to the charm of Occitan traditions in an enchanting setting. Nestling in a green Provencal setting, with the song of the cicadas wafting through the air, this unusual accommodation for 2 people has retained its bewitching raw charm. Exposed stonework, period beams, a palette of natural tones enhanced by lavender blue, a flower-filled garden and terrace in the shade of a hundred-year-old lime tree: everything you need to suspend time.
This traditional mazet enjoys a privileged location just a stone’s throw from Uzès, making it easy to discover this lively, picturesque town. Make the most of your stay by strolling through the medieval streets, admiring the Place aux Herbes and its colourful market, or visiting the Duchy of Uzès. By staying in this authentic accommodation, you’ll also benefit from its proximity to Nîmes, so you can alternate cultural visits with moments of relaxation in your Provencal haven of peace.
12. Yurt in Saint-Hilaire-de-Brethmas
To round off our selection of unusual accommodation in the Gard, we’re heading for Saint-Hilaire-de-Brethmas and its exotic yurt! This Mongolian-inspired tent for 2 people is set in a peaceful field where sheep graze and chickens peck. Located at the gateway to the Cévennes, it offers privileged access to the medieval towns and stunning natural landscapes of this mountainous region.
A night in a yurt will appeal to adventurers, minimalists and lovers of ethnic style and character. This small, cosy accommodation has en suite facilities and a kitchen for your comfort. This type of accommodation allows you to immerse yourself totally in nature, while still having everything you need for a pleasant stay. It’s the ideal opportunity to enjoy a nomadic experience for a weekend, combining tradition and authenticity in the heart of a preserved rural environment.
In conclusion, the Gard offers an exceptional range of unusual accommodation to suit all tastes and desires. Whether you’re looking for a romantic treehouse, a barge on the canals of the Camargue, a winegrower’s barrel among the vines or a historic château, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for in this sunny département. These original accommodations turn every getaway into a memorable adventure, combining modern comfort with authenticity. With its Roman heritage, medieval villages, Camargue landscapes and Cévennes mountains, the Gard is an ideal destination for an unforgettable weekend or holiday. Don’t hesitate to consult theNavaway itinerary to visit Nîmes and discover all the treasures of this magnificent region during your stay in one of these exceptional accommodations.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to book unusual accommodation in the Gard?
Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are ideal for enjoying an unusual holiday in the Gard, with pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists. Summer remains very popular despite the heat, especially for accommodation with a swimming pool or by the water. Some accommodation, such as yurts or cabins, is seasonal, generally open from April to November.
How much should you budget for a weekend in one of Gard’s unusual accommodations?
Prices vary considerably depending on the type of accommodation and the season. You can expect to pay between €80 and €150 a night for a yurt or caravan, between €150 and €250 for a treehouse or a winegrower’s barrel with Jacuzzi, and up to €300 or more for a château or luxury houseboat. Most establishments require a minimum stay of 2 nights, especially in high season.
Is unusual accommodation suitable for children?
Some of the Gard’s unusual accommodations are child-friendly, including houseboats, mazets and some spacious cabins. Tree houses, yurts and barrels, on the other hand, are generally reserved for adults or children over the age of 12 for safety reasons. It is important to check with each establishment before booking, especially if you are travelling with your family.
What activities are available in the vicinity of unusual accommodation in the Gard?
The Gard offers a multitude of activities: visit the Pont du Gard and the Nîmes arena, discover Uzès and Aigues-Mortes, hike in the Cévennes or the Gardon gorges, watch pink flamingos in the Camargue, wine-taste in the vineyards, swim in the Cévennes rivers or on the Espiguette beach. The region perfectly combines its historic heritage, unspoilt nature and local gastronomy for a varied and rewarding holiday.
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