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Discover a Roman masterpiece: the Pont du Gard
Discover the Roman engineering marvel: Pont du Gard - a breathtaking masterpiece and a symbol of France's rich cultural heritage.
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Discover a Roman masterpiece
Located in Provence, in the south of France, this masterpiece was built by the Romans in the 1st century AD. Rising 48 meters in height, it originally spanned 50 kilometers with an average flow of 35,000 cubic meters of water per day. Pont du Gard is the tallest aqueduct in the Roman Empire and one of the most spectacular sites in France.
When and why was the Pont du Gard built?
It is estimated that the construction of the Pont du Gard had already started in the year 40 after Christ. During 12 years, 1000 workers have worked every day until the bridge could be used in the year 52. The aqueduct made it possible to supply the city of Nîmes with water, which was lacking because of its low position. The hills near Uzès had many natural springs from which Nîmes could draw – but the village needed an aqueduct to carry the water. The construction of the Pont du Gard supplied the city’s thermal baths, springs and fountains for almost 5 centuries.
Interesting facts
The Pont du Gard is a 3-level aqueduct, with arches on top of each other. It was built without cement. The stones were stacked on top of each other so as to form a solid construction which still survives today. Water was routed to Nîmes on the upper level of the bridge, while a path had been built on the lower level for traders. Today, Le Pont du Gard no longer extends over 50 kilometers, but only over 275 meters. It is estimated that the bridge fell into disrepair after the 6th century. The people then used the stones from the aqueduct to build houses. The preserved part of the bridge was then used as a toll road. The Pont du Gard is the highest known aqueduct bridge in the Roman world, and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.
Plan your visit to the Pont du Gard
Would you like to visit this masterpiece? You are right ! Learn everything about its construction and its history in museums, exhibitions and guided tours of the aqueduct. The bridge is accessible by bus from Nîmes and Avignon. You can also get there by car and park your vehicle in a guarded car park. The amount of the parking space gives you direct access to exhibitions, discovery routes and picnic areas. If you wish, you can even admire the lit aqueduct in the evening – or observe it from the river, during a canoe ride!
Discover our holiday homes near the Pont du Gard and plan your visit!