Uzès — The Forgotten Register

Your quest for the Forgotten Register begins in the Place aux Herbes, the beating heart of Uzès. This site, mentioned in communal archives as early as 1680, has always been the gathering place for fairs and markets. Here, the covered market halls built in 1785 and the 17th-century arcades immediately immerse you in a Provençal atmosphere. It was in this setting that Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully, minister to Henri IV, reportedly visited Uzès in 1607. The first clues to your mystery are hidden among the imaginary stalls, inviting you to observe the architectural details that have witnessed centuries of trade and social life.

Continue your investigation to the Duchy of Uzès, residence of the dukes since 1632 and classified as a Historic Monument in 1897. This castle, built from the 17th century on the foundations of a 12th-century medieval fortress, testifies to the power of the Crussol d'Uzès family, owners for over 900 years until 2000. Its monumental 50-meter-long facade and double-revolution grand staircase are keys to deciphering hidden symbols. Here, you will discover how the power and influence of the dukes shaped the city's history, and how the discretion of an archivist like you was essential to the stability of France's First Duchy.

The Saint-Théodorit Cathedral, rebuilt in the 17th century after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, reveals another facet of Uzès' history. Only the square fenestrated tower, 40 meters high and classified as a Historic Monument in 1840, remains from the Romanesque 12th century. The Baroque interior, with its 18th-century altarpiece and organs restored in 1998, contrasts with medieval austerity. It is here, in the shadow of this religious edifice, that fragments of the register might have been hidden, escaping the prying eyes of the religious administration that occupied the Place de l'Évêché, adjacent to the cathedral and developed in the 18th century.

Your journey then leads you to the Fontaine de l'Évêché, a monumental fountain built in 1752 by architect Jean-Baptiste Franque, classified as a Historic Monument in 1943. Its octagonal basin of Vers-Pont-du-Gard stone, adorned with a central lion mask, is an essential landmark. This fountain, an integral part of the historic hydraulic network supplied by the Pont du Gard 15 km away, symbolizes the sophistication of 18th-century engineering. Nearby, the Uzès Town Hall, a neoclassical building constructed between 1780 and 1786 by Esprit Jourdan, with its 32-meter facade and 18th-century wrought-iron balconies, is another milestone of this era. These places, seats of civil and religious power, are silent witnesses to past intrigues and buried secrets.

Your exploration of Uzès' heritage concludes near the 13th-century medieval Ramparts, partially preserved over 1.2 km, including the 14th-century Clock Tower, 25 meters high. These fortifications, erected by the bishops of Uzès as early as 1150, have protected the city through the centuries. As an archivist, you have pieced together fragments of a complex history, connecting the Historic Monuments and key dates of this City of Art and History in Occitanie. This thematic circuit will have allowed you to understand the influence of the dukes and bishops on this city, one of France's Most Beautiful Detours, and to appreciate the rich Renaissance and medieval heritage of Uzès. You leave with the satisfaction of having uncovered a centuries-old secret and experienced a unique immersive visit.