The Pont du Gard tops the list of the region's most visited sites.
It is a three-level Roman aqueduct bridge located between Uzès and Nîmes.
Built in the first half of the 1st century, it ensured the continuity of the Roman aqueduct that carried water from Uzès to Nîmes.
Spanning the Gardon River, it is the monumental part of an aqueduct over 50 km long.
Its average flow was estimated at 40,000 cubic meters of water per day.
It is thought that the water stopped flowing at the beginning of the 6th century.
In the Middle Ages, the piers on the second level were cut away and the structure was used as a road bridge.
The exceptional architecture of the Pont du Gard attracted attention as early as the 16th century.
Since then, it has undergone regular restoration work to preserve its integrity.
A road bridge was added to it in 1743-1747.
The highest aqueduct bridge known in the Roman world, it was classified as a historical monument in 1840 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1985.
The site underwent major developments in 2000.
Built on three levels with stones extracted from the surrounding Roman quarries, the top of the bridge dominates the Gard River at low water, at a height of 48.77 m, and the structure currently measures 275 m at its longest point.
For those who love numbers:
Lower level: 6 arches, 142.35 m long, 6.36 m wide, 21.87 m high.
Middle level: 11 arches, 242.55 m long, 4.56 m wide, 19.50 m high.
Upper level: 35 arches, 275 m long, 3.06 m wide, 7.40 m high.
You can visit the museum at the Pont du Gard site.
It is the largest interpretation center in France dedicated to Roman civilization and tells the story of the Roman aqueduct.
This 2,500 m² space offers models, virtual reconstructions, multimedia screens, and soundscapes that invite visitors to discover Roman antiquity.
The centerpiece of the museum is dedicated to the construction of the Pont du Gard. The life-size reconstruction of the quarries, the canal, and two of the arches on the third level, as well as plans, technical information, and observations, constitute the most spectacular part of this thematic exhibition space.
Activities and workshops...
Numerous activities are also organized on site, including various workshops:
Creation of traditional Roman mosaics
Handcrafted oil lamp making
Laurel wreath making
Preparation of ancient recipes and Roman snacks
Making of bullae, protective amulets from ancient Rome
For families, various activities are offered:
Fun walks and explorations
Interactive discovery of the Pont du Gard
Picnics and relaxation by the water
Workshops and activities for the whole family.
For the first time in 2019, the Tour de France cycling race passed by the Pont du Gard.
Pont du Gard site
La Bégude
400 Route du Pont du Gard
30210 Vers-Pont-du-Gard
Tel: 04 66 37 50 99
Translated with DeepL.com
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