Uzège runs in the family for one of us. Even though we were not born here, the region clearly enchanted us as we chose to move here to restore the tour sarrazine of Montaren, one of the oldest buildings in the area. Uzès has retained its authenticity as it is less overpopulated than its neighbours on the other side of the Rhone. The valleys exude charm, sitting amongst heaths as far as the eye can see. They bring history and nature together in the midst of this exceptional built heritage (Pont-du-Gard, ducal city of Uzès) less than an hour from the sea and the mountains, and close to main roads leading to major European capitals.
The tour sarrazine of Montaren is a rectangular tower of great simplicity. Its facades reflect the changes of the centuries with, for example, arrowslits to the north from the 12th century, corbels that once supported 15th century latrines and a stairway tower that was added one hundred years later.
As the oldest building in the village of Montaren, the so-called "Sarrazine" tower probably owes its name to the romanticism of the 19th century which referenced the stone buildings built by the Moors that came to the region in the 8th century. An archaeological study carried out in 2013 indicated that the property dates back to the 12th century. It is mentioned as early as the 13th century, probably as a castrum, a medieval structure where the space on one side is shared as a seigniorial area and the other is reserved for inhabitants of the village. At this time it was part of the first castle of Montaren and the tower is now the only remaining vestige. Its military function is not, however, entirely clear as instead of archers, there are only 'jours' that illuminate the floors. Having changed owners many times over the years, it has belonged to several lords of Montaren, Toulouze, Foissac and Joyeuse, who each made changes according to their neighboring properties. It was only from the 16th century onwards that the tower became a residential property, this is made clear by the comfort features that began to appear: the tower-staircase, chimneys, latrines ... According to a 14th century text, this donjon was alternately occupied by two co-lords along with another tower that was originally located on the site of the current castle built in the 17th century. At the end of the 19th century, these two buildings belonged to the Puget family. They had carried out a lot of restructuring and made significant changes to the original layout.
We have two guest rooms available that offer a unique experience in a thousand-year-old property. De Joyeuse House, a contemporary building to the west of the tower, is open for weekly rentals. Weekly rentals of the entire tower and outbuildings are available throughout July and August. Our guests have access to the library, as well as to the garden and the swimming pool. Of the surprises that await them, the tour of the tower with an aperitif on the roof terrace never fails to please.
On site, in the village, "La Table 2 Julien" offers exceptionally refined and creative dishes at reasonable prices. Uzès, which is four kilometers away, is a fully classified city. The Medieval Garden (located at the foot of the King's Tower offering panoramic views and the old Bishop which offers tours of the jails) is probably the best place to really get a feel for the city away from the busy terraces and tourist hotspots. The Concluses or Gorges du Gardon, where the famous Clouzot film "Le Salaire de la peur" was shot, are perfect for nature and sports enthusiasts: canoeing, canyoning, via ferata ... The markets (Wednesdays and Saturdays in Uzès, Tuesdays and Fridays in Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, Sunday in Montaren) are an opportunity to discover the Uzès region through its specialties: truffles in January, pélardons, honeys of garrigue, heather, olives and tapenades ... not to mention the wines on offer from some excellent independent producers that we share with our guests!
The tower has two rooms per floor, with the exception of the second floor where there is only one. The kitchen and dining room are on the ground floor, one of the bedrooms with a bathroom and the library are on the first floor, a second bedroom with a bathroom are on the second floor and a bedroom, a bathroom, an office and a small covered terrace are found on the third floor. A roof terrace is located right at the top. The annex house (which can be reached via a separate entrance to the north or a walkway between the first floor bedroom of the tower and the kitchen in the house) is spread over two levels with a mezzanine and a terrace. The first level has a living room with an open-plan kitchen and a dining area. On the second level are a large bedroom and a bathroom. The ground floor of the annex is shared with the tower along with the outdoor dining area equipped with a grill and a washroom.
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The guest rooms are located on the first and second floors of the tower. The white room (first floor) is a an intimate vaulted room, modeled on a monk cell with a block in the centre concealing the toilet and bathroom. It has a small balcony to the west and access to the neighboring house to the east by a wooden walkway. On the second floor, the hourd bedroom is particularly spectacular. The north wall features exposed stones, with old arrowslits still visible and a small hourd perched on the old external corbels. It has a bathroom and a separate toilet. Both bedrooms are very bright despite walls as thick as 1.8m in some places! They benefit from an east-west orientation which guarantees sufficient light without the overwhelming heat from the south.
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De Joyeuse, the annex house of the tour sarrazine, is spread over two levels with a mezzanine.
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The friends of the tour sarrazin association occasionally offers activities and entertainment in the garden. For more information, visit www.latoursarrazine.com/amis
The tour sarrazine opens its doors to the Chickpea Festival which takes place on the last weekend of May. For more information, visit www.fetedupoischiche.com
Tours of the tower for groups of up to fifteen guests can be organised on request. Allow about one hour for each visit.
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