Historical Village House near St Ambroix, 86 m2 of living space + terrace: SOLD
EUR 110,000
More info...
Attractive Stone Village House with Beautiful Views
EUR 120,000
More info...
Old mines house, living area of 600m2, partially restored and land 2000m2
EUR 275,000
More info...
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Charming fortified town
Saint Ambroix is a charming fortified town dating back to Roman times... and perhaps even earlier. Sitting on a hilltop in the foothills of the Cèvennes Mountains and on the edge of the beautiful Cèvennes National Park, Saint Ambroix is a colourful and delightful town. Less well known than its Provençal neighbours, but equally lovely, it’s just waiting to be discovered.
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Modern and mediaeval
Saint Ambroix is well equipped with the necessities for modern life and has a full complement of shops, health services, banks, hairdressers and the like. In addition to this, however, it also has the charm of a mediaeval city, with ancient twisting streets, historical houses and, the icing on the cake, a vibrant market held every Tuesday morning.
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Tuesday morning market
This market is full of everything you dreamed that a southern French market would be filled with... pots of lavender, aromatic herbs for cooking or simply scenting your house, dusty bottles of wine from the local caves, tasty local gourmet specialities such as pélardon, a delicious cheese, or fougasse, a type of bread, colourful fabrics and pretty pottery... it's well worth getting out of bed early!
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La Légende du Volo Biòu
La Légende du Volo Biòu , translated, means the “legend of the flying ox”. Occitan in origin, this story concerns a time when the villagers of Saint Ambroix discovered that all their wine had turned sour... a tragedy of massive proportions for the French! In order to distract the townsfolk from this source of discontentment, a story was created concerning an ox that could fly. The poor unfortunate beast was led through the streets of the town, accompanied by much fanfare and pageantry, only to be thrown from a hilltop above the town, whence, tragically, it dramatically disproved the theory that it possessed the power of flight.
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Festival recreates the legend
The tale is recreated in a festival, held every year in mid-July, and there is much music, dancing, mediaeval entertainment and a superb mediaeval-styled market. This all takes place without the throwing of the ox from the hill... thank goodness! The festival is classed as one of the finest in France, and Saint Ambroix is a very popular destination at this time of year.
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Outward bound
The region in which the town lies is a wonderland for those who love unspoiled countryside and outdoor activities. It’s a paradise for walkers, horse-riders, cyclists and explorers, with the Cèvennes National Park is right on the doorstep. It offers an unrivalled opportunity to enjoy this fabulous and lesser known region of southern France.
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Places to visit
There are also many fascinating places to visit in the immediate area. The coast is within easy reach, and the little resort of Saint Maries de la Mer is a very pleasant place to spend your day by the sea. Visit also the dramatic gorges of the Ardêche, the marshes of the Camargue with the legendary white horses and black bulls, or take time out in the city of Nîmes, capital of the Gard. The area's top “must see”, however, is the amazing feat of engineering known as the Pont du Gard... a fabulous Roman aqueduct on the Gardon gorge. Once seen, never forgotten...
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How to get there
There are a number of airports which lie within reach of Saint Ambroix, and these include Avignon, Montpellier, Nîmes, Nice, Carcassonne and Toulon. Of these, the nearest are Avignon and Nîmes, and these are served by flybe and Ryanair respectively. Montpellier, meanwhile is served by British Airways, GB Airways and Ryanair, Carcassonne and Toulon by Ryanair, and Nice by bmibaby, British Airways, easyJet, bmi, Jet2, flybe, Air France and Aer Lingus. For rail travel you take the Eurostar to Paris or Lille, hop onto a TGV for Nîmes and finally catch a local train which will take you right into Saint Ambroix. Easy!
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Property prices and availability in and around Saint Ambroix
Property in the Gard is generally expensive and much sought after. Saint Ambroix is certainly not one of the cheapest places to purchase a property, however prices here are still a little lower than in neighbouring Provence and the town is surely one of France's most delightful places to live. The potential for a rental income is also good, as Saint Ambroix is popular with holiday makers.
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SAINT AMBROIX AT A GLANCE |
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HOTELS IN SAINT AMBROIX
* online booking & great prices
* up-to-the-minute availability
* unbiased hotel reviews
* full confirmation with directions |
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AGENTS WITH PROPERTY IN THIS AREA |
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4/5