Église Saint-Étienne

Église Saint-Étienne is a church in central Uzès built between 1764 and 1774 with distinctive architectural features. Its curved facade displays Ionic columns, large decorative vases, and false balustrades, while the original rectangular bell tower from the 13th century remains standing beside it.

An earlier church once stood on this site but was destroyed during the religious wars of the 16th century. Architect Pierre Bondon designed the replacement, which reflects the 18th-century move toward classical, rational design.

The interior decoration reflects 18th-century sensibilities, with furnishings and ornaments that speak to how worshippers once gathered here. Visitors can sense the way people shaped and inhabited this space over generations.

This church sits at the edge of the old town, easily accessible on foot from surrounding streets. A visit here works well alongside exploring the medieval lanes and squares nearby, allowing you to see several sights in one outing.

The heavy rectangular bell tower dates to the 13th century and is the only part of the original church that survived. Its design reveals how medieval buildings served double duty as fortifications and lookouts, not merely as places of worship.