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Pont du Gard, Nimes
The Pont du Gard is 20 kilometres from Nimes, in the Gard department of Languedoc-Roussillon.
Pont du Gard was constructed by the Romans, probably sometime between 19 BC and 50 AD, as part of a grand undertaking to carry water by aqueduct for 50 kilometres across hills and valleys, to Nimes. The aqueduct drops only 17 metres along its entire length - an amazing feat of engineering.
Silt deposits rendered the aqueduct unusable by the 9th century, and the bridge started to fall into ruin, but much of it is still intact.
The Pont du Gard is the highlight of the aqueduct, as it crosses the Gardon River. The bridge has three levels of arches, progressively narrower at each level, with the water originally being carried at the top, covered, level, through a conduit painted with a waterproofing plaster. It is 49 metres in height and 275 metres long.
In recent years, a lot of work has been done to control traffic in the vicinity of the bridge, and there is now a museum to help set the bridge in context for visitors; a wide-screen film showing the history of this important monument; and a 1.4km marked trail around the site.
There are also opportunities to learn more about the Mediterranean countryside of the region; and 'off the beaten track' trail (paid); and various events - music concerts, light shows etc are held here (mostly during the summer months).
The site is now listed by UNESCO as a France world heritage site by UNESCO.
Pont du Gard: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites
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Visit Pont du Gard, France
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Map of Pont du Gard, France |
Places to visit - Pont du Gard
Explore places within about 70 kilometres on a map at Visit Pont du Gard.
Some of the closer places are listed below (distances from Pont du Gard are approximate and direct - as the crow flies. Only places listed on the france this way site are shown!)
Tourist Classifications for Pont du Gard
- Listed UNESCO World Heritage Site
Information and photos
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