Saint-Gilles is a town in the Gard department, about halfway between Nimes to the north and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to the south, and with Arles a similar distance to the east - you are likely to pass the town as you explore this popular area.
Explore Saint-Gilles
France This Way review: although it is not a common tourist destination, we suggest you stop here as you pass to see the exceptional Abbey Church of Saint-Gilles
Most of the places of interest in Saint-Gilles are in the upper part of the town. There is quite a substantial old town around Rue Jean Jacques Rousseau and Rue Lamartine, and others, with some attractive houses to be seen although the centre has not been developed as a "tourist destination".
On Rue Victor Hugo you can see the traditional market hall, which has been recently restored after a long period of neglect. Behind the market hall you can see across the area that was once the cloisters of the Abbatiale Church of Saint-Gilles.
On the eastern edge of the old town you reach Place Jean-Jaurès. The square is overlooked by an imposing town hall, and has a war memorial and a garden with children activities.
On the other side of the same square you have views down across the lower part of Saint-Gilles, and there is a path that leads down to the lower town.
In this lower part of the town you can walk along the side of the canal and then stroll along Rue Emile Cazelles, a long straight road lined with trees that springs into life on market day in Saint-Gilles.
Abbey Church of Saint-Gilles
The most important historic monument in Saint-Gilles is the Abbey Church, an impressive 12th century church that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the important monuments on the pilgrim path to Santiago de Compostela.
The facade of the church is its most important feature that remains from the 12th century, with three large doorways framed by columns and friezes, with additional carvings of religious scenes above the doors. Inside the church you can see the tomb of Saint Gilles.
It is only the lower part of the current church that remains from the 11th century - the higher parts were rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries, after a great deal of damage was suffered during the Wars of Religion, on a smaller scale than the original church, and without the imposing belltower that was previously part of the church.
The crypt of the church, which contains the relics of Saint Gilles, dates from the late 10th century and is a substantial structure with three naves below the main church.
Little is known of the life of Saint-Gilles the hermit, except his birth in Athens, the fact he came to live here in France, and that he died around 720. Despite this, for a certain period in medieval times the church at Saint-Gilles was the forth most visited pilgrimage site in the Christian world (after Rome, Jerusalem and Santiago de Compostela).
Behind the church you can see some excavated ruins and fragments of walls from the other parts of the abbey, as well as part of an ancient staircase.
Attractions nearby
Saint-Gilles is situated on the northern edge of the Camargue region, an environment of wetlands well known for its wild horses and bulls.
The principal towns in this region include the resort of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer on the Mediterranean coast to the south; Arles with its monuments and associations with Van Gogh to the east, and the town of Nimes, with two of the most impressive Roman monuments in France, to the north.
You can find more travel ideas in the Gard guide and the Languedoc-Roussillon guide.
To make travel arrangements to visit Saint-Gilles see HERE
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Photos of Saint-Gilles
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Map of Saint-Gilles and places nearby
Places to visit near Saint-Gilles
Fondation Vincent Van Gogh
The Fondation Vincent Van Gogh is a contemporary art gallery in Arles dedicated to the legacy of Van Gogh.
Fondation Vincent Van Gogh guide
Thermal Baths of Constantine
The Thermal Baths of Constantine in Arles are one of the best preserved in France.
Thermal Baths of Constantine guide
Roman Cryptoporticoes of Arles
The Roman cryptoporticoes in Arles are a 2000 year old structure built to support the forum
Roman Cryptoporticoes of Arles guide
Cloister Saint-Trophime in Arles
The cloister of the cathedral of Saint Trophime in Arles is an impressive example of Romanesque architecture of the 12th century
Cloister Saint-Trophime in Arles guide
Arles
The roman amphitheatre and the traditional pastel-painted houses in the historic centre make Arles a very pleasant town to explore
Arles guide
Roman Arles
The town of Arles contains numerous Roman monuments including the famous amphitheatre
Roman Arles guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Gard
Tourist classifications for Saint-Gilles
Saint-Gilles is classified as a historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé)
Address: Saint-Gilles, Nîmes, Languedoc-Roussillon, 30800, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.6786111, longitude 4.43166
Plan your visit to Saint-Gilles, Gard
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Saint-Gilles ancienne abbatialle (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site
- Etang de Scamandre: site of natural beauty (9 km)
- Camargue: grand site of france (13 km)
- Eglise et cloitres de Saint Trophime, Eglise de Saint-Honorat des Alycamps (Arles): religious monument (16 km)
- Roman Arles: heritage site (16 km)
- Arles: secteur sauvegarde (16 km)
- Arles église St Honorat (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (17 km)
- Nimes: secteur sauvegarde (19 km)
- Jardins de la Fontaine: remarkable garden (19 km)
- Abbaye Notre Dame de Montmajour (Arles): religious monument (19 km)
- Montmajour Abbey: national monument (19 km)
- Beaucaire: recommended detour (22 km)
Market days in Saint-Gilles, France
Regular market(s) are held in Saint-Gilles each Thursday & Sunday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Saint-Gilles (Francais)