Anduze (; ) is a commune in the Gard department in southern France. The village is at the foot of the Cevennes range, in the limestone plateau of the Languedoc scrublands. History The lordship of Anduze which was established in the early 10th century was one of the oldest and most powerful of Languedoc. Coining money, the family Anduze reigned as the supreme house of the Cevennes. The lords of the House Anduze were the titled Marquis of Gothia and Prince of Anduze and were allied to the counts of Toulouse and participated in the crusade against the Albigensians in 1266, it was related to the crown of France. It counted among its branches of the houses of Sauve, Roquefeuil (still existing), Sommieres, and Cayla Thoiras. Anduze was the cradle of French sericulture from late 13th century. The city then became the regional center of trading in silk and wool. It had up to 7,000 people at its peak. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Anduze was an important centre of Protestantism. The walled city, which had 6000 inhabitants in 1570, became the headquarters of the Protestant forces of the South. In 1573, the city had the birth of what Janine Garrison called the United Provinces of the South, including an attempted independent Huguenot state, based on local autonomy. Anduze was the basis of the resistance of the Duc de Rohan in 1622, and in 1629, the Peace of Alès, saw the dismantling of the city ramparts. In the 19th century, with the industrial revolution, new economic development in silk mills, hosiery, and headgear took place, before being hit by recession. Anduze was also site of the Cevennes Coal Mines, prime contractors of the French coal industry. The city is known for its zinc smelting, pottery, and castle dating from the 16th century. Currently, tourism plays an important role in the economy of the area; the station is used by the tourist railway steam train of the Cevennes. Population Sights Bambouseraie de Prafrance The Clock Tower dates from 1320, it has three levels and is reminiscent of the architecture of the tower of Constance Aigues-Mortes. It Became the town clock in 1569, it was spared during the destruction of the ramparts in 1629. The bell at the top of the turret in its campanile, dates from 1701. The total building height is 22 meters. The New Castle is a mansion