Saint-Alexandre is a commune of the Gard, in the Occitanie region, 5 km south-west of Pont-Saint-Esprit.
The territory of the locality, vast of about 13 km ², belongs to the cultural region of Occitan Provence, and is bordered on a few hectometres by the right bank of the Rhone, which constitutes the limit with the department of Vaucluse.
The village developed from the twelfth century on top of a rounded hill with slight slopes. These, like the part of the commune which belongs to the plain of the Rhone, is largely devolved henceforth to the culture of the vine (wines of Côtes-du-Rhône and rosé wines).
Saint-Alexandre which counts about 1200 inhabitants will seduce the visitor by its inheritance and its picturesque character and of course the tranquility of its environment. A pleasant stop near major tourist sites (Pont du Gard, Avignon and Lubéron...).
The church dedicated to Saint Alexander, bishop who evangelized the area and gave his name to the village, is the heritage pride of the town.
The building of Romanesque stylus date for its parts the old of XIIe century. At the entrance is a clay statue of St. Alexander. The bell tower was struck down in 1964, a new one was erected in 1978. However, originally, the bell tower was located on the other side of the building: its base wall is still visible. It was moved to accommodate larger volume bells, and this modification explains the addition of a flying buttress. There are several chapels: that of the Sainte (formerly the seigniorial chapel), which houses a statue of the Virgin in gilded fig tree in Renaissance style, saved during the Revolution by a parishioner while the church was sacked, or the chapel dedicated to St. Joseph. At the choir level, the wrought iron communion table was replaced by cubic stone colonnades from the Gard, and the main altar was removed in 1966 and replaced by a monolithic stone.
Note that the remains of votive altars from the High Middle Ages (carved stones with a flat space) on which offerings were deposited were discovered during work on the wall of the apse.
The "north" part of the church is as attached to the current town hall, housed in the old stately home, whose foundations are the eleventh century. More strong house than real castle, the building with a campanile has been somewhat overhauled but its proximity to the church symbolizes the medieval reality: religious and temporal powers went hand in hand.
Arranged in a circular manner, the ancient streets of the historic center of the village are also marked out with characteristic dwellings, all presenting a picturesque and typical aspect of Provence.
In the village still, and along the paths that surround it, an old washhouse restored as well as fountains and crosses have been preserved.
These elements of small heritage such as the wine plots of the territory or the plain bordering the Rhone can be the object of pleasant hikes. Some tours may include an "oenological" break in a field (with visits to cellars or cellars and tasting) or include incursions to Pont-Saint-Esprit. Maps and information on +33 4 66 89 54 61.
You can also join the local club outings. Information on +33 6 11 31 03 48.
The weekend before or after April 22 (St. Alexander), patronal feast with fun, gourmet and musical entertainment, and hiking in the vineyards.
