This French commune really came to prominence through its trade and industry in the latter part of the 17th century and later became the district capital, during the French revolution, from 1790-1795. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the commune developed the silk and leather industries making it a key component in the manufacturing process of these commodities, supplying the whole of France. Today, there is a museum dedicated to demonstrating the silk trade in the commune, “La Musée de Soie”. The numerous fountains, 13 in total, dotted around the commune, are a major feature of Saint Hippolyte du Fort. The commune is located in the Gard department in the Occitanie region.
Access
Saint Hippolyte du Fort is only 50km drive from the major cities of Nîmes and Montpellier which both have train stations with services to and from Paris and airports with low cost flights to the UK.
Activities
Given the size of the commune, there is plenty on offer should one wish to experience indoor or outdoor pursuits. There are plenty of historic sites to explore including: the parish church which was re-built in the late 17th century and then again in the 19th. The fort which is set behind a vast protestant temple and which was coincidentally built to keep an eye on proceedings going on in and around the temple as Catholicism still reigned at this time. Finally, there is the 19th century evangelical church providing a suitable testament to the region’s religiousness throughout the ages.
Food and Drink
The Languedoc is a large producer of Grenache wines, the Grenache grape being particularly prevalent in the region. In keeping with its quite Mediterranean climate, the region has cuisine that comprises a mixture of Spanish and Provençal elements. Seafood, olive oil, fruit and vegetables are all commonplace in any café, bar or restaurant in the area. Saint Hippolyte du Fort has specialities including “Pélardon”, a very pure goats’ cheese in addition to various nuts’ and fruits’.
There is a market which is staged twice a week in Saint Hippolyte du Fort on Tuesdays’ and Fridays’ selling local produce.
Our team of sale advisers at Sextant Properties will be happy to help you to find a property in Gard. We have a large network of agents in Languedoc Roussillon. All of them are registered French estate agents and speak both French and English. Whatever kind of property you are looking for: farmhouse, longere, barn, gite, B&B, country house, mill, castle or chateau, we will do our best to find a property in Saint Hippolyte du Fort matching your requirements. Do not hesitate to contact us to find out more about our selection of properties for sale in Saint Hippolyte du Fort.