Terroir

Rice fields

Rice fields

At Mas Neuf de la Motte, in the heart of the Saint-Gilles marshes, Bernard Poujol farms more than 30 hectares of rice fields organically. To do this, he had a unique idea: to use ducks as natural weed killers! Inspired by an ancestral Asian method, Bernard Poujol is the first rice farmer to have imported this pesticide-free technique into France.

Vineyards

Vineyards

In Saint-Gilles, the soil and climate are favorable to the cultivation of vines which benefit from exceptional sunshine, mild winters and two rainy periods. All these climatic factors contribute to the production of high quality wines belonging to the "Costières de Nîmes" appellation. Red, rosé or white wine, there is something for everyone!

Not to be missed!
Maison des vins 
5 place de la République - 30 800 Saint-Gilles
 
Located in front of the Abbey of Saint-Gilles, the Maison des Vins brings together 11 winegrowers who offer their AOP Costières de Nîmes wines from the vineyards of Saint-Gilles.

Olives

Olives

The fruit of the sun and the earth, the olive is a welcome addition to any table, whether as an aperitif or as a side dish. Very present in our region, the famous Picholine, a small, fruity olive with its intense taste and juicy pulp, is considered the local green gold. Its cultivation, flavor and multiple virtues have notably allowed it to obtain the AOC and AOP label. In Saint-Gilles, olive growing covers about 100 hectares of the commune's agricultural surface! And it is in the heart of a large 30-hectare estate that the Jeanjean olive grove has been set up, where nearly 10,000 olive trees have been planted in organic farming.



Did you know this?
Seven varieties of olives are grown on the estate and harvested at different levels of ripeness: green, turning, ripe black or ‘à l’ancienne’ (old-fashioned). 


Fruit

Fruit

Peaches, cherries, kiwis and above all apricots, these are the fruits that are grown in the Saint-Gillois territory! Criss-crossed by agricultural landscapes that change with the seasons, the area offers us orchards covered with flowers of a thousand colours in spring and ripe fruit with pulpy flesh at harvest time! As the capital of the apricot, the microclimate of our region makes Saint-Gilles the perfect place to grow this fruit, the first varieties of which can be harvested from the end of May. Red, copper, orange, sweet or juicy, you will find them all on the various stalls of the local market!

Traditions

Traditions

The Camargue bullfighting traditions are very often honoured in Saint-Gilles. Bull and horse breeding, village festivals, Camargue ‘courses’ and other bullfighting games are all evidence of the town's attachment to these traditions. In August, during the Feria de la Pêche et de l'Abricot (Fishing and Apricot Fair), the town offers you a Spanish-style interlude!

Saint-Gilles reception office:
5 place de la République - 30 800 Saint-Gilles   
+ 33 (0)4 66 58 38 00