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Pont du Gard

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Landmark
—°14
Pont du Gard (France)

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The Pont du Gard is one of the world's best-preserved Roman structures and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was built around 50 AD to transport water from springs near Uzès to the city of Nîmes over a distance of 50 km. The bridge is 49 meters high and consists of three tiers of arches, constructed without mortar from limestone blocks weighing several tons. The structure is an ancient engineering marvel, as the gradient along the entire aqueduct is only a few centimeters per kilometer. Today, the site is a popular destination where visitors can swim in the Gardon River or kayak under the massive arches. A modern on-site museum explains the construction history and the significance of water supply in the Roman Empire. The bridge has a magical sight in the evening when it is illuminated. The surrounding garrigue landscape, with its olive trees and holm oaks, is excellent for hiking. The best time to visit is spring or early autumn when the temperatures are pleasant and the light beautifully highlights the golden-hued stones.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C4591317222524201595
Rain mm61485469654230366510610461

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
Pont du Gard is freely accessible and can be visited at any time. You can walk both on top of the aqueduct and along the riverbanks below.
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Typical hours
The site is typically open daily, with exact hours varying by season. Access to the aqueduct is usually possible from sunrise to sunset.
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Photography
Photography is allowed everywhere, including tripods. Drones require a special permit.
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Time needed
Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours for the visit. With a picnic and riverside stroll it can take longer.
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Combine with
Combine Pont du Gard with a trip to Nîmes (Roman arena) or Avignon (Palace of the Popes). Both towns are about 25 km away.
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Getting there
By car: parking at the visitor center, fee applies. Public buses run from Nîmes and Avignon (approx. 30-40 minutes).
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Insider tip
Come early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds. You'll then have the monument almost to yourself.

Geography

Population
1,696 (2018)
Coordinates
43.94730, 4.53550

Facts

  • UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985
  • Part of a 50 km long aqueduct
  • Highest Roman aqueduct in the world
  • Built without using any mortar
  • Consists of three tiers of arches
  • Spans across the Gardon River
  • Constructed in the 1st century AD
  • Popular spot for kayaking and swimming

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Pont du GardPont du Gard9 km · EExplore →
📍Uzès12 km · NWExplore →
📍Rochefort-du-Gard13 km · EExplore →
📍Manduel15 km · SExplore →
Nîmes-NordNîmes-Nord18 km · SWExplore →
📍Beaucaire18 km · SEExplore →
📍Bouillargues19 km · SWExplore →
📍Les Angles19 km · EExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Pont du Gard (14)

piscines🎡 recreation

Piscines refers to the swimming pools located near the Pont du Gard.

Plaja dau Verç🎡 recreation

Sandy beach on the Gardon river near the Pont du Gard.

Tunnel🏺 historical

Roman tunnel of the Nîmes aqueduct near Pont du Gard.

Belvédère Mémoires de Garrigue🌿 nature

Viewpoint over the garrigue and the Pont du Gard from the right bank of the Gardon.

Chapelle Saint-Pierre🏺 historical

Romanesque chapel on the left bank of the Gardon near the Pont du Gard.

Oliviers Millénaires📍 landmark

Oliviers Millénaires are ancient olive trees and a natural attraction at the Pont du Gard.

🕒 24/7♿

Musée du Pont du Gard🏛 museum

Museum on the history of the Pont du Gard and Roman aqueducts on the site itself.

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Pont Roupt📍 landmark

Roman aqueduct bridge across the Roupt valley, part of the Nîmes aqueduct.

Pont de Valive📍 landmark

Roman bridge of the Nîmes aqueduct over the Valive stream.

Château de Saint-Privat🏰 castle

Château de Saint-Privat is a medieval castle listed as a monument historique.

Église Saint-Pierre⛪ religious

Romanesque church of Saint Peter in the village of Pont du Gard.

church⛪ religious

The Saint-Bonnet church in Pont du Gard, built in the 11th century, is heritage-listed.

Église Notre-Dame et Saint-Martin⛪ religious

Church with a fortified porch in Pont du Gard, dedicated to Our Lady and Saint Martin.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the Pont du Gard?
A massive 1st-century AD Roman aqueduct bridge spanning the Gardon river gorge.
Does it cost anything to visit the site?
There is a parking and visiting fee per vehicle or person, which also includes access to the museum.
Can you walk on the bridge?
Visitors can walk across the lower level; the top water channel is usually only accessible via guided tours.
Can you swim in the river?
Yes, many visitors swim in the Gardon river during summer, right under the impressive bridge arches.
When is the bridge illuminated?
During the summer months, there are often spectacular light and sound shows at the bridge in the evenings.
Pont du Gard: where is it located?
Pont du Gard is located in Occitanie, France.
Pont du Gard: what is there to see?
Highlights include piscines, Plaja dau Verç, Tunnel.
Pont du Gard: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.
Pont du Gard: why is it worth visiting?
The Pont du Gard is one of the world's best-preserved Roman structures and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → Most beautiful beaches → OpenStreetMap →
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History & landmarks

Carcassonne — Pont du Gard (France)
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A magnificent double-walled medieval fortress and UNESCO World Heritage site in Occitanie.