400 Route du Pont du Gard, 30210 Vers-Pont-du-Gard
The Pont du Gard, located near Vers-Pont-du-Gard (meaning towards the bridge (pont) du Gard) in southern France, is a monumental Roman aqueduct built in the 1st century AD. It was part of a nearly 50 km-long water supply system that carried water from the Eure spring, near Uzès, to the Roman colony of Nemausus (Nîmes).
Architecture and dimensions
Built entirely from local limestone, the bridge is striking in scale:
- Length: 275 meters (902 ft)
- Height: 48 meters (157 ft) (the tallest surviving Roman aqueduct in the world)
- Three tiers of arches, with a total of 52 arches
- 6 arches on the first level, 11 on the second and 35 on the third.
It could carry up to 20,000 m³ (706,000 ft³) of water per day, an extraordinary feat of Roman engineering.
History and conservation
In the Middle Ages, the Pont du Gard was repurposed as a road bridge, which contributed to its preservation. Listed as a French historic monument in 1840, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. After several restorations, it is now protected and part of a large cultural and natural site.
A living monument today
Today, the Pont du Gard is one of the most visited ancient monuments in France. Visitors can:
– Walk across the pedestrian bridge and admire the structure up close
– Visit the museum dedicated to Roman history and hydraulic engineering
– Enjoy hiking and swimming along the Gardon riverbanks
– Attend shows and exhibitions regularly hosted on the site
Practical information
- Tickets available online or on-site (museum and site access included)
- Obligatory paying parking
- Open year-round (hours vary by season)
Simple Travel and Recreation 