Everything You Need to Know About Pont du Gard
Last Updated on 11th May 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.
A wonder of antiquity and one of the finest preserved examples of an an ancient Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard was built over 2000 years ago and remains an architectural gem to this very day. Named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a visit to this impressive monument and its beautiful natural landscape should certainly be high on most people’s bucket list.
Here’s everything you need to know about Pont du Gard and how to visit this manmade triumph.
Contents
Where is Pont du Gard?
Pont du Gard crosses the river Gardon near the town of Vers-Pont-du-Gard and is located in southern France in a region known as Provence. It was originally built to carry fresh water from distant springs to the city of ‘Nemausus’ which is known today as, Nîmes.
What is the story of Pont du Gard?
Pont du Gard quite literally translates as ‘Bridge over the Gard’ which is the river’s name of which the aqueduct crosses over. This ancient Roman aqueduct was built in the first century AD during the reigns of the emperors Claudius and Nero, for the purpose of supplying water to the city of Nîmes (at the time the city was named ‘Nemausus’).
A little bit of context: Water was of great importance to Roman culture, in fact the Roman architect and engineer Vitruvius once notes that water supplied “an infinite number of practical needs” and that “all things depend on the power of water” and let’s be honest, he wasn’t wrong.
This exceptional structure stands testament to the impressive and notable engineering work of the Romans. Requiring 21,000m3 of stones to build, the limestone rocks used for construction were extracted from quarries nearby.
Designed by the architect, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, the bridge is made up of three tiers of arches (making it extremely sturdy) and stands 48.8 meters high. The aqueduct is estimated to have once carried over 200,000,000 litres to the baths, fountains and homes of the residents of Nîmes.
The Pont du Gard supplied water for over five centuries, but after the Roman Empire collapsed it ceased to function and by the 6th century it was no longer in use. After this, the local lords and bishops were responsible for its upkeep, however some of the stone blocks were looted and serious damage was inflicted in the 17th century.
In the 18th century the Pont du Gard started attracting attention as a tourist destination, becoming an important piece of history for people to visit, encouraging the local authorities and the French State to begin a series of renovations in order to maintain the aqueduct. In 1985, Pont du Gard was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its exceptional preservation as a remarkable feat of human engineering and building.
What we see today is only a portion of the once 31 mile long stretch of aqueduct. Standing as an impressive site, visitors are welcomed to roam around freely, whether it’s walking along and admiring the views or swimming in the fresh spring water below it!
What do do around Pont du Gard
The Roman Aqueduct Bridge
Of course the main thing to do while visiting is to see the magnificent aqueduct bridge. With over 2,000 years of history, Pont du Gard is most certainly a sight to behold and is sure to leave you in awe when you see it for yourself.
Swim underneath Pont du Gard
One of the best things to do on your visit to the Pont du Gard is to (quite literally) soak up the historical setting by taking a dip in the sparkling spring waters below!
Crystal clear and refreshing, especially on a hot summers day, the River Gardon is an idyllic spot for an afternoon dip. You can see right down to the bottom and the water goes deep quite quickly, but if you can I recommend taking water shoes with you as the rocky surface can be quite painful to walk on.
Lots of people also travel along the river, there are several spots situated along the river where you can rent a kayak or canoe. It’s such a tranquil stretch of water that once you see it glisten in the sunlight you’re sure to be tempted to go in!
Hiking around Pont du Gard
There are several hiking options around the Pont du Gard, most of which are considered suitable for any fitness level. And, thanks to the beautiful natural Provençal landscape, it makes for the perfect way to enjoy an afternoon, just be sure to bring comfortable shoes and lots of water for your travels.
As there are so many different routes, we suggest taking a look at this guide of the best hikes around the Pont du Gard. Check out best hikes on the outdoor active site here.
Pont du Gard Museum
Situated close by to the big car park is the Pont du Gard Museum, a fascinating museum dedicated to Roman history and architecture, as well as detailing the ancient Roman aqueducts legnthy past.
For a small fee you can visit this educational centre and find out more about the importance of water during the Roman times and why they worked so hard to build structures to carry so much of the fresh liquid to the cities in which they inhabited.
In the museum you’ll also find a short film shown every fifteen minutes, which is all about the construction of the aqueduct (the film is narrated in French, but there are English subtitles).
Take a guided tour
For those truly fascinated and wanting to learn in as much depth as possible about this incredible structure, you should opt to take a guided tour. Learn from an expert and purchase a tour ticket from the Pont du Gard Museum, you will be immersed in history as you climb up to the third tier of the bridge.
The tour takes 1 hour and an adult admission price costs €15. Please note, you will have to climb 80 steps up to the aqueduct, so make sure to wear comfy shoes. Because of the steps, the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.
Visit Nîmes
While in the area and if you have time to do so, visit one of the most important cities during the Roman Empire, Nîmes! Filled with ancient treasures and monuments, this beautiful city in the South of France is home to one of the best-preserved Roman Amphitheatres in the world!
Other well-preserved Roman monuments include, Jardin de La Fontaine, the Temple of Diana and Nîmes Cathedral. Aside from its historical gems, Nîmes is home to art galleries, shops and an abundance of eateries that are perfect to indulge in French cuisine.
How much time do you need at the Pont du Gard?
It depends on how much you want to see, I’d say at least a minimum of 2 hours if you want to see the museum, do a tour the aqueduct and walk around the area a little.
However, you could easily spend an afternoon hiking, taking a dip and enjoying the beauty of the natural surroundings, so bear this in mind as once there you may want to stay longer than you realise.
How to get to Pont du Gard
These are the times it takes to get from Nîmes to Pont du Gard:
By car: To be honest, the easiest way to travel around the majority of Provefnce is via your own public transport as some of the smaller towns are harder to get to because buses aren’t all that frequent. Travelling from Nîmes to Pont du Gard by car takes approximately 30 minutes. There’s a big car park at the museum which costs €9 per day. Check car rental comparison prices here.
By bus: Luckily Nîmes and Pont du Gard are well connected by public transport and it is easy to get there via bus. You can take the 121 bus from the bus station in Nîmes and it takes you there in 53 minutes. A ticket one-way only costs €2.
Taxi: Alternatively you could take a taxi but this takes 35 minutes (so you wouldn’t be saving that much time) and would cost between €50 – €60.
Guided tour: If you’re the kind of person who likes all of the travel details taken care of for you, then you could consider booking a guided tour. Here are some of our picks:
- From Avignon: Full-Day Best of Provence Tour
- From Aix-en-Provence: Provence Region Tour with Wine Tasting
- From Marseille: Provence Sightseeing Tour and Wine Tasting
Enjoyed reading about Pont du Gard and everything you need to know about it? Pin this article now, read it again later:
