alais

Alais is a historical toponym most often associated with the town now called Alès, located in the Gard department of southern France. In medieval and early modern texts, the town is frequently referred to as “Alais.” Today the official name is Alès, and the inhabitants are known as Alésiens. The place lies in the southern Cévennes region and has long served as a local administrative and market center, with fortifications and routes that connected it to surrounding communities.

Historically, Alès (Alais) functioned as a regional hub within the Cevennes area, benefiting from its position at the foothills and its role in regional trade and governance. Its urban layout and architectural remnants reflect its long-standing role in local administration and commerce.

In contemporary usage, the spelling “Alais” appears mainly in historical or literary contexts as an older form of the place name. In modern French, the standard form is Alès. The term should not be confused with alias, a different word with separate meanings.