History |
Uzès city with rich past, near Nimes and Avignon
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Three
imposing towers dominate the town, witnesses
of the three powers that held authority
during the Middle Ages.
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king's tower, the only
remains of a long gone chateau, the bishop's
tower and the ducal tower also called
the Bermonde tower. The latter is part of the ducal
palace.. |
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After
the execution of the Duke of Montmorency
in 1632 for rebellion, the Duke of Uzes
inherited the title and prerogatives of
the First Duke and Peer of France. Ever
since, the town of Uzes proudly holds the
title of "1st Duchy of France". The chateau
has remained the residence of the ducal
family for over a thousand years. |
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The
prettiest tower in Uzes is also the most
discreet, the Fenestrelle tower, whose
cylindrical steeple unique in France
is the only remnant of the former Romanesque
cathedral Saint-Theodorit, destroyed
in 1563 by the Protestants.
A large part of the population took part in the Reformation
during the Wars of Religion, and the
conflicts between Catholics and severely
afflicted the town. |
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The 17th
and 18th centuries saw the return of
economic prosperity, as testified to
by the magnificent aristocrats' and rich
bourgeoisie residences you will discover
as you wander the old streets.
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