Pont du Gard

The Pont du Gard is a three-tier Roman aqueduct bridge spanning the Gardon river at Vers-Pont-du-Gard, in the Gard department of Occitanie, about 27 km west of Avignon. Built in the first century AD as part of the channel that carried water to Nîmes, it stands roughly 49 metres high and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The trip suits a relaxed day: by car the drive takes 35 to 40 minutes via the D6100 and D981, and site parking costs about EUR 9.50 (~$11) per vehicle. A seasonal Edgard bus from the Avignon bus station is the transit alternative, but departures are few, so the timetable should be confirmed in advance. Arriving by 9:30 or 10:00 gives the best light on the stone and the quietest crossing of the bridge's lower level, which pedestrians can walk. The site layout includes shaded paths on both banks, the Museum of Pont du Gard with exhibits on Roman engineering and water supply, and a Mediterranean garden. On warm days the pebble banks of the Gardon are popular for a swim or picnic, and canoe rentals operate from Collias, a few kilometres upstream, for a paddle that ends beneath the arches. A sensible one-day arc is the museum and bridge walk in the morning, a picnic or simple lunch near the river around midday, then a short climb on the footpaths for views over the aqueduct in the afternoon before the drive back. Food options on site are limited to a café and snack outlets, so many visitors bring picnic supplies from Avignon's covered market, Les Halles, or stop for lunch in the nearby village of Remoulins. The best seasons are April to June and September to October, when temperatures are comfortable and crowds are lighter than in July and August, when the exposed stone and car park become very hot. Combining the aqueduct with Nîmes, which lies roughly 25 km further west, is possible for drivers wanting a fuller day.