Alès is a town with a rich history, and the vestiges of its past are numerous.The first inhabitants of Alès are said to have settled on the Ermitage hill, which reaches an altitude of 290 metres. This hill has been the subject of numerous archaeological digs, and Neolithic and Gallo-Roman remains have been discovered. In the 1st century B.C., the Celtic Volques Arécomiques people, who had already settled in Nîmes, established themselves on the hill, which then became an oppidum. Alès is close to major communication routes such as the Via Domitia and the Régordane road.  In 2008, archaeologists excavated a mosaic dating from the time of Julius Caesar and measuring over 36m². It is the largest mosaic in France dating from this period.In the Middle Ages, the town became an important trading and commercial center. Several lords exercised their authority and several castles were built.In the 16th and 17th centuries, Alès was the scene of numerous clashes during the Wars of Religion.During the Industrial Revolution, Alès became a major center of the mining industry. The discovery of coal and iron deposits led to rapid growth in the town's population and economy. The Alès mines were among the most important in France, attracting workers from many different regions.