Why Uzès?

This question, or some variation of it has been asked of me many times here the past three months. People want to know how I ended up choosing this place in all of France. Why here? Why their town? My answer? Par hasard. By chance, luck, fate. In fact, before I had seen the listing for the apartment, I had never heard of Uzès and didn't even pronounce it correctly until about a month or two after I booked it. I was calling it "Ooze"! Of course, now I know that the final 's' is pronounced as it is for many words here in the south of France.

And now with two days left, I still can't believe how fortunate we have been to have chosen Uzès. Gus' first impression when he arrived..."it's like you're living in a fairytale, or a really big movie set." It's true, sometimes I do feel like I've been living in a fairytale. When I walk the cobblestone streets, through vaulted archways, past the castle walls, or shop at the outdoor market, I can almost picture the 15th century citizens walking alongside me. (trivia tidbit: some of the scenes for Cyrano de Bergerac were filmed here in 1990)

After three months of being an Uzètienne, this town holds a special place in my heart and I can't imagine not coming back. I have always felt myself torn between two places, Canada and Greece. Now a third will pull on me too-Uzès.

I will miss my charmed life, but most of all I will miss the people I have met and the friends I have made for they are what have made this an unforgettable experience. They welcomed us into their lives and their homes as if we were old friends. We drank wine, sang songs, burned Guy Fawkes, drank more wine, trimmed a Christmas tree, drank more wine, discussed, ate, listened to Rammstein, drank more wine, and simply enjoyed each others' company. Our weekends especially, would have been long and lonely without them. Rachel, Patrice, Garance...merci pour tout. Vous êtes des amis pour la vie.

So now if someone asks me, "Why Uzès?" I can tell them because it's a beautiful medieval town with lots to see and do, it has an amazing outdoor market every Saturday, but most importantly, because we have good friends there to see.

On Saturday, we say goodbye to our fairytale town. Paris awaits and then we're homeward bound for Christmas.

Au revoir Uzès...for now.