Built by the Romans around 50 AD, the Pont du Gard is the largest aqueduct bridge in the Roman world, and the only ancient three-tier bridge still standing today. It is made up of three rows of arches one above the other (47 arches at the base, 11 on the second level and 6 on the first level) and is 48 metres high and 273 metres long. At the time, the city of Nîmes took its cue from Rome, the model of the Roman Empire, and decided to build an aqueduct to supply the city with water.
The Pont du Gard, the most visited ancient monument in France!
Mythical bridges often have very little left of them. You only have to look at the Pont d'Avignon, where it's hard to dance in circles these days, the bridge over the River Kwai, which explodes at the end of the film, or the bridge of the 7th Company, where Colonel Blanchet wants to know "who blew up the bridge". Fortunately, in the midst of this deluge, some bridges are still standing, such as the Pont du Gard, one of the finest examples we have inherited from Roman antiquity. Probably built in the 1st century AD, this bridge-aqueduct is one of the major testimonies to the genius of Roman architects. Today, the Pont du Gard is a major tourist attraction, with visitors dazzled as much by this unique monument as by the natural environment in which it is set. Situated at the gateway to the Gardon gorges, the Pont du Gard site offers a setting of rare beauty, where the mineral power of the river meets the vivacious vegetation of the garrigue and the tumultuous waters of the Gardon.
© kavram / Shutterstock
The Pont du Gard, a historic monument
The arches of the Pont du Gard.
- © Roman Gorielov / ShutterstockFor five centuries, the Pont du Gard carried 30,000 to 40,000 cubic metres of running water a day from a spring in Uzès. With an average gradient of 25 centimetres per kilometre, the total difference in height was 12.4 metres, making this aqueduct a real architectural feat for its time. It also gave the city of Nîmes a whole new setting, with fountains and thermal baths.
The Pont du Gard spans the Gardon river.
- © Izabela23 / ShutterstockIn addition to its extraordinary architecture, this giant bridge was built in just five years! It took athousand men to build it, and experts estimate that 11 million stones were used.
Recognised for its true worth, the Pont du Gard was first listed as a Historic Monument in 1840, then in 1985 it was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List as a"testimony to human creative genius". Finally, in 2018, it became the only site in France to be part of the Unesco Ancient Route, made up of eight historic sites across Europe. Its impressive track record makes it the most visited ancient monument in France!
The Pont du Gard in Occitania.
- © Zdenek Matyas Photography / ShutterstockWhy visit the Pont du Gard?
While the monument reveals all its splendour when admired from afar, its many stones also hold a few secrets... They are covered in signs, petroglyphs, numbers and drawings, all of which tell a story or myth about this ancient structure.
For example, many of the workmen engraved their tools on the stones of the bridge, so there are traces and signatures of the stonemasons, carpenters and locksmiths who worked on the site. You can discover these engravings as you cross the bridge, and learn more about them and the bridge during a guided tour.
Pont du Gard
Book your ticket for the Pont du Gard discovery centre!
Discover all the secrets of this ancient monument by visiting the museum, the cinema and the temporary exhibition in the Pont du Gard discovery area.
From
£6.50
/ person
The site'sdiscovery area includes a museum, cinema, games library and temporary exhibitions, giving visitors an insight into the construction of the Pont du Gard and the importance of the monument in its time.
The Pont du Gard is also the perfect place to relax and enjoy the mild Provencal climate. Don't forget your swimming costume- you won't be able to resist the cool waters of the Gardon for long, especially in high season! You can also book a kayak trip to the monument from the river: a magical moment!
The surrounding countryside is also criss-crossed by footpaths. The Aqueduct Trail takes visitors on a 3.5-kilometre tour of the remains of the Pont du Gard, while offering some great views of the monument. The Mémoires de Garrigue walk takes walkers through the history of the Mediterranean landscape. On summer evenings, the Pont du Gard is decked out in its finest colours for an enchanting sound and light show.
Our favourite hotel near the Pont du Gard
Vers-Pont-du-Gard
Booking.com
La Bégude Saint-Pierre 4* - Vers-Pont-du-Gard
An outdoor swimming pool, bar-restaurant and comfortable rooms await you at this superb 4-star hotel in Provence.
8.2
From
£127
/ night
Practical information for the Pont du Gard
Right in the heart of Occitan Provence, the Pont du Gard is one of the most important ancient sites in France, so don't miss out on a visit during your next stay in the region. We recommend devoting half a day to exploring the Pont du Gard.
🚌 How do I get to the Pont du Gard?
The Pont du Gard is 27 kilometres from Nîmes and 21 kilometres from Avignon. To get there by car, take the A9 motorway and then exit 23 towards Uzès, you can then take the left bank or right bank signs.
Buses also serve the site: route 115 from Avignon and Alès and route 121 from Nîmes.
Kayaks under the Pont du Gard.
- © Tomas Marek / Shutterstock⏰ Pont du Gard opening times
The Pont du Gard site is open every day from 8am to midnight.
The discovery area is closed on Monday mornings and on 25 December and 1 January. Opening times vary each month, so go directly to the Pont du Gard calendar to find out more.
👛 Pont du Gard prices
Access to the Pont du Gard itself is free, but parking costs €9 per day. There is a charge for the museum area and guided tours.
Discovery area :
- Full price: €6.50
- Concession: €5
- Under-18s, students and PRMs: free
Guided tours :
- Full price: €15
- Reduced rate : 13€
- Under 18s: €6
- Under 4s: free
To find out all the prices and book your ticket online, go directly to the official Pont du Gard website.
A few tips for your visit
- Only the guided tour gives access to the third-floor pipe of the Pont du Gard. Remember to book your guided tour as the number of places is limited.
- An interactive map allows visitors to discover all the activities available on the site.
Need a hand? take a look at our guide
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