In the 1st century AD, Romans built a 30-mile aqueduct that ran to Nimes, one of ancient Europe’s largest cities. While most of it ran below ground, at Pont du Gard the aqueduct spans a canyon via a massive bridge over the Gardon River, one of the most remarkable surviving Roman ruins anywhere. The aqueduct supported a small canal that dropped 1 inch for every 350 feet, supplying the city of Nimes with 9 million gallons of water per day.
The arches are twice the width of standard aqueducts and the main arch is 80 feet across (the width of the river). The bridge is about 160 feet high and was originally 1,200 feet long. Each stone weighs from 2-6 tons. The structure stands with no mortar except at the very top where the water flowed – taking full advantage of the innovative Roman arch made strong by gravity.
Today Pont Du Gard is a beautiful area where families can come to enjoy nature and the out of doors. There’s play equipment for children, hiking trails, canoes, swimming in the river, a museum and theater, a couple of restaurants and extensive gardens with walking paths.
Chuck took the tour through the water channel at the top of the aqueduct. The tour went down the 4-foot wide, 6-foot tall chamber, dark except for occasional holes in the ceiling which allowed sunlight to enter. That tiny water channel was the whole reason that huge structure was there.
On the way there, we drove through tiny French villages, down ancient streets lined with plane trees. I love plane trees!We’re not seeing fields of red poppies like I had hoped, but we have had a few sightings here and there. (Gather ye red poppies while ye may!)This is why we came: this amazing, ancient 3-level bridge holding a small viaduct on its top level. In this view, the bottom row of arches can’t be seen. A museum photo gives a better aerial view of all 3 tiers of the bridge with the aqueduct above the row of smaller arches on the top tier.So photogenic from every angle. This view shows the walkway on the 2nd level where you can walk across the bridge and get those fabulous views up and down the river.From the walkway on the bridge, Chuck admires the view down river. The view up-river.Another view downriver. See that 5-story building on the left side of the river? We haven’t been able to figure out what this building is. We walked by it along a path on the other side and that photo is next.This is looking through the gate along the front side of that building with a very nice entrance. From here it looks like a fabulous 3-story house. But actually there are 5 stories showing on the river side with 5 levels of windows only along the river because it’s built on the side of a cliff. Maybe a shared use: the house is actually 3 stories and the 2 bottom levels are for some other use? Certainly has wonderful views of the river. Currently, it looks vacant. Chuck’s tour showed the inside of the aqueduct where the water traveled through.The area on both sides of the river was covered with walking paths and fabulous grounds. This olive tree, with a huge trunk full of mysterious holes, came here in the first century, assuming our French serves us well when reading the sign engraved on that rock to the left of the tree. And this is an ancient grape vine. It was accompanied by several others in the visitor services center.We noticed 2 of these interesting bushes by an outdoor restaurant. This is a new plant to us. That cave behind the bush is what the sign proclaimed to be a “prehistoric grotto.”A close-up of the flowers on that bush in the photo above. Striking color combinations This little girl came flying down the hill from the bridge on her 3-wheel scooter with her mother trying her best to keep up. I think it’s all in the way you hold your tongue!
Everything about this tour was interesting, the aqueducts and viaducts. The pink bush was beautiful. I like the thick walled stone houses in France that are so unlike anything you see here in the US. The little girl was too cute.
Provence Journey 
Everything about this tour was interesting, the aqueducts and viaducts. The pink bush was beautiful. I like the thick walled stone houses in France that are so unlike anything you see here in the US. The little girl was too cute.
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