Beaucaire, a town of Art and History famous for its old fairs which drew crowds in the 17th and 19th centuries, sits by the Rhône river and the Canal du Rhône à Sète. It has preserved a number of beautiful monuments from its rich trading past. Overlooking the historical centre from the top of a hill, the medieval castle, built in the 11th century then partly dismantled in the 17th century by Richelieu, was the residence of the Counts of Toulouse and the Lords of Beaucaire. Today, its ruins including the polygonal tower, round corner tower, curtain walls and Romanesque chapel are a reminder of its glory days. Within the castle walls, visitors can look forward to a visit to the Auguste Jacquet archaeology and history museum, as well as a peaceful, shady garden with pines and cypress trees and a pretty view of the rooftops of the city.
Below the ramparts, carry on with your tour of Beaucaire and discover its squares and streets dotted with old houses and private mansions from the 17th and 18th centuries. The latter include the Hôtel de Clausonnette, the Hôtel de Margallier - or House of Caryatids – and the town hall. Also worth a look are the baroque-style collegiate church of Notre-Dame-des-Pommiers and the Place de la République square, which is quite charming with its old arches, pretty façades, fountain and plane trees.
