Pont du Gard

The Pont du Gard is a colossal Roman aqueduct bridge spanning the Gardon river gorge in Provence, three tiers of honey-coloured stone arches rising nearly fifty metres, built around two thousand years ago to carry water fifty kilometres to Nimes. A UNESCO masterpiece of ancient engineering, its scale and precision still astonish, set in a beautiful stretch of river.

History

The aqueduct was long credited to Augustus's aide Marcus Agrippa, around 19 BC, but newer excavations suggest it was built between 40 and 60 AD, taking about fifteen years and 800 to 1,000 workers, to carry water more than 50 kilometres to Nemausus, today's Nîmes. From the 4th century its upkeep was neglected and it clogged with deposits up to 50 centimetres thick, and it had probably gone out of use by about the 6th century. It survived largely because it served as a toll bridge, which the seigneurs and later the bishops of Uzès had to keep in repair; in the 1620s the Duke of Rohan had the second tier of arches cut back to get his artillery across, the local authorities repaired it in 1703, and in 1743-1747 Henri Pitot built a road bridge alongside the lower arches. It was added to the World Heritage List in 1985 (Wikipedia, Pont du Gard).

What's there

• The three-tiered bridge - the great honey-coloured Roman aqueduct.
• The river and gorge - the setting for swimming, kayaking and walking.
• The museum - the story of the aqueduct and Roman engineering.
• The viewpoints - the paths and vantage points on the aqueduct.

When to go

Spring to autumn, when the river is warm for swimming below the bridge and the light is best; it is a lovely spot for a picnic and a paddle. Summer is busy, so early or late is calmer.

Good to know

The site charges for parking and the museum, though seeing the bridge itself is the free highlight. It is busy in summer, especially with swimmers below. It is best reached by car, near Nimes and Avignon.

Nearby

Nimes with its Roman arena and Avignon with its papal palace are close; Provence spreads around.

Key facts