Pont du Gard
The most visited ancient monument in France and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Pont du Gard aqueduct is one of the great masterpieces of Antiquity.
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The Pont du Gard - an amazing ancient monument
The most visited ancient monument in France and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Pont du Gard aqueduct is one of the great masterpieces of Antiquity. The site itself offers families a unique Discovery Centre with a multimedia museum, cinema, Ludospace for children and 15 hectares of landscaped Mediterranean gardens (vines, olive trees…). In summer the area around the right bank of the bridge is turned into a beach, while walkers go along the GR6 hiking path.
The Pont du Gard is an absolute must to visit in the South if France. Although it is has the name ‘pont’ meaning bridge, it is in fact an aqueduct, a very small part of the 50km long Roman aqueduct which was used to take water from Uzès to Nîmes. The majestic construction was built almost 2,000 years ago. Its stature and state of preservation make it the tallest ancient bridge in the world. It is situated at the heart of a natural setting of 165 hectares, classed as a « Grand Site de France® ».
The Pont du Gard spans the River « Gardon » with 49 arches on 3 storeys. The story of the aqueduct is recounted in the museum, the largest interpretation centre in France concerning Roman engineering and construction. A Plant Trail runs through the typically-Mediterranean countryside known as ‘garrigue’ past archaeological remains of the Age of Antiquity following the path of the old aqueduct.
The Pont du Gard - fun and relaxation for all the family
The Pont du Gard is also a leisure area with a beach to relax, have a picnic or swim in the Gardon. A little further upstream, the river winds its way through canyons hollowed out in the rock which are a nature conservation area so it is not unusual to spot birds and small mammals around the Pont du Gard especially at dusk.
The area is a super adventure playground for sporting enthusiasts : mountain bike tracks run across the bridge and along the banks of the Gardon, canoeists and paddle boarders go with the flow down through the Gorges du Gardon and finish by paddling beneath the Roman arches of the Pont du Gard (you can take amazing photos at sunset on the twilight canoeing trip !), not forgetting the numerous footpaths through the Gorges du Gardon.
Food Fairs and ‘Fééries du Pont du Gard’ son-et-lumière show.
The Pont du Gard is a venue for countless events throughout the year; food fairs presenting local produce, exhibitions and shows. In summer the bridge is illuminated every evening but in June it goes one step further with the Fééries du Pont du Gard son-et-lumière show.
There’s no doubt about it, whatever time you choose to visit the Pont du Gard, you are sure to fall under its spell !
Le Pont du Gard – 30210 Vers-Pont-du-Gard
04 66 37 50 99 – contact@pontdugard.fr – www.pontdugard.fr
Open all year round (opening times on internet)
Museum open 09.00 – 17.00 or 20.00 depending on the time of year
27km from Nîmes and 21km from Avignon, the site is reached via Remoulins (right bank), or Vers-Pont du Gard (left bank). Secure parking (included in site entrance fee)."
