On the front doors of houses in Générac’s town centre, Empègues—stencilled drawings—announce the annual votive festival. This custom offers an unusual introduction to the town’s history, shaped as well by a château traditionally dated to the 11th century and a 19th-century church. Other highlights include vineyards, an open-air market and two routes that end in Générac. The town lies south of Nîmes in the natural landscape of the Costières. When planning your stay, choose what interests you most: the town’s architectural and cultural heritage, its market and wine, or the landscapes and nature along the routes.

Heritage and local history

The Château de Générac is traditionally dated to the 11th century. A large main building and two round towers at the eastern corners have been preserved. The Musée de la Tonnellerie is housed in the Salle du Temple, one of the château’s rooms. It was inaugurated in April 1995 during the traditional Fête de la Souche. If you are planning a museum visit, check the current opening hours in advance.

The Church of Notre-Dame de l’Immaculée Conception de Générac was built by the architect Révoil between 1857 and 1860. In the choir, the apse vault is decorated with paintings that were uncovered during restoration work. The combination of its construction dates, the architect’s name and the distinctive vault gives the church a special place in the town’s heritage.

The winegrowers’ cooperative also has an architectural history: its building was constructed by Henri Floutier in 1927. Today, the Générac winegrowers’ cooperative is called Costières et Soleil. In the town centre, Empègues on house doors feature stencilled drawings announcing the annual votive festival. In Générac, a historic building and an artistic tradition linked to the festival thus sit side by side.

Routes between Générac and the Camargue

The Chemin de Régordane, also known as the Chemin de Saint-Gilles and the GR700, is the historic section of a route that linked Île-de-France with Bas-Languedoc. The GR700 section in the Camargue area runs from Générac to Saint-Gilles. The town’s name is therefore linked to a historic route and a specifically named destination.

The Route Entre Vignes et Rizières offers a different perspective on the landscape. On the section between Générac and Franquevaux, you can enjoy views of the region’s best-known landforms and the Camargue ponds. Along the route, you’ll encounter a rich variety of local flora and fauna, particularly in the Scamandre nature reserve.

The two routes offer different highlights: the GR700 focuses on the historic link and the destination of Saint-Gilles, while Entre Vignes et Rizières is described in terms of its views, ponds and nature. When choosing, you can therefore consider whether you are more interested in routes and regional history, or in landscapes and wildlife.

Market and wine from Générac

Générac’s open-air market takes place every Friday morning on Place Franck Chesneau. Stalls offer meat, charcuterie, prepared foods, fish, cheese, and fruit and vegetables. As individual vendors may vary, check the market details before your visit if you are planning your trip around it.

Château de Valcombe is a family-owned wine estate in Générac that has been in the heart of the Costières de Nîmes since 1740. The Découverte package includes a guided tasting of four signature cuvées. The estate also offers a weekly tasting of one cuvée paired with a dish, by reservation. The formats therefore differ in the number of cuvées and whether food is included. A reservation is required for the weekly tasting with a dish. Ask in advance about current dates and booking arrangements, as visitor offerings may change.

Discover more destinations: Lussan, Aujargues, Bouillargues, Canaules-Et-Argentières, Parignargues, Fons-Sur-Lussan, Saint-Bonnet-Du-Gard, Fons

For the wider travel guide: Gard.