Le Cailar is a village in the Gard, Occitanie region, 26 km south-west of Nimes. The municipal territory forms a vertical band of 30 km² in the heart of the Petite Camargue Gardoise whose village is the capital, at the confluence of Vistre and Rhôny. The village is surrounded by meadows and marshes, where there are many bulls and horses, dependent on manads who practice extensive breeding (in free environment). Vineyards are the other economic wealth of the town, at the Costières. Commercial counter during the Roman era, thanks to a port on the Rhone before the silting of this region, Le Cailar is then a small seigniory which is very affected during the feudal conflicts of the Middle Ages. The castle was destroyed in 1382. The village, which now has nearly 2,500 inhabitants, has nevertheless preserved a historical heritage of interest, marked by taurine culture. It was here that the first manadas were established in the 19th century and arenas were built at the beginning of the 20th century. In an exceptional natural environment, a must for anyone staying in the region and want to discover all the authenticity.
The town has many heritage sites that can mark a "discovery" route. This is for example the case of the town hall, which was set up in an old barracks of dragons of the eighteenth century, when the royal power intended to ensure calm in the region after the Camisards war. Also worthy of mention is the medieval clock tower in the village and, on the outside, the Anglas tower (14th century), where the grant was perceived: the building was beautifully restored. We will not forget the Romanesque church of Saint-Etienne, whose oldest parts date back to the 11th century. It was rebuilt in the seventeenth century and rebuilt in the eighteenth after being burned by Camisards. As for the temple, it was erected in the eighteenth century and testifies to the importance of Protestantism in this region near the Cevennes.
In a different register, the Mas des Hourtès is worth seeing, away from the village. The property belonged to the poet Bernard de Montaut-Manse and, from the 1960s, to Viscountess Marie Laure De Noailles. Authentically Camarguais and adorned with works of contemporary art, it was made available to the manadier and man of letters Jean Lafont. Many celebrities stayed there (Jean Cocteau, Alain Delon, Claude Pompidou...). A mausoleum dedicated to Jean Lafont, the work of sculptor Jean-Michel Othoniel, is located nearby. The farmhouse has been converted into a tourist establishment (B & B, reception) but can some days be visited. Contact the +33 6 12 33 57 48.
Many bullfights to which the population wished to pay homage, and of course the arenas, which were built before the First war and were registered (they can welcome more than a thousand spectators during the festivals and races camarguaises) will be evoked still).
All these sites such as shops and public services have a signage that is a work in itself, the panels having been made by the artist François Boisrond at the end of an initiative of the Cailar Contemporary Art Circle.
After leaving the village and its charming circular lanes, some 130 km of trails and paths for lovers of hiking or biking cross the territory. What to apprehend an exceptional landscape (marshes, open and wild pastures, hillsides planted with vines), which has been labeled "Grand site of France". The environment is protected for its ecological wealth (Natura 2000 zone). Documentation, maps and information on +33 4 66 88 28 52.
One can also choose to go through this concentrate of Camargue in a carriage: join +33 6 86 67 82 80 or +33 6 85 78 47 12.
Holidaymakers and visitors can finally play a game of tennis by booking a court at +33 6 40 14 79 88.