Originally a small Gallo-Roman settlement, the town lies at the site of a Roman aqueduct that was built in the 1st century BC to supply water to the city of Nimes.
Throughout the centuries is was known to be a Jewish community, and although they were expelled from the city in 614, it hosted a small community of Jewish scholars during the 13th century. The city and the surrounding countryside were strongly Protestant during the Wars of Religion in the 16th century, which wreaked havoc thoughout the Languedoc. Many of the city's churches were trashed and burned, with only two remaining today.
Known for its cloth manufacturing, specifically for 'serges' (a particular type of woven cloth).