France’s Breathtaking Pont du Gard

The autumn sun illuminated the rocky landscape as two kayakers plied the waters of the Gardon River in Southern France. Crimson and yellow trees danced on the gentle breeze, alongside a tree bearing one over-ripe pomegranate. The pair of kayakers continued their journey down the calm river and eventually glided underneath an arch of France’s magnificent Pont du Gard. Up until that point, I was content taking in this architectural marvel from land, but now I suddenly wished I was also in a kayak seeing it from a different perspective.

Built more than 2,000 years ago, the Pont du Gard (translation: Bridge over the Gard) is a three-tiered aqueduct bridge that once carried water to the city of Nîmes, a Roman colony. It took 5 years and approximately 1,000 men to build this ancient masterpiece.

The Pont du Gard boasts more than 52 graceful arches and was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1985.

The Pont du Gard transported water from a source near the city of Uzès to the city of Nîmes (Nemausus).

Left: Looking up river toward the beautiful city of Uzès. Right: A close-up of the aqueduct’s limestone blocks.

A few years ago, Shawn, his parents, and I ended up spending half a day at the Pont du Gard. We weren’t able to access the bridge’s top level to see the channel that once carried the water. Nevertheless, we spent a memorable afternoon at the site. We picnicked. We admired several ancient olive trees, including one that was transplanted from Spain when it was more than 1,000 years old!

Finally, we spent several hours inside the Pont du Gard Museum, which gives a great overview of the 50-km-long (30-mile-long) aqueduct, and how engineers decided upon this location to build the Pont du Gard.

The museum is well-worth an extended visit. However, if you’re short on time, be sure to simply explore the Pont du Gard’s rugged landscape. As you do, keep your eyes open for those ancient olive trees, as well as graffiti carved into the Pont du Gard’s honey-colored limestone several centuries ago.

Graffiti presumably carved by a mason, dated 1750.

Vibrant autumn foliage.

This handsome olive tree is more than 1,000 years old. It was transplanted from Spain to the Pont du Gard grounds in the 1980s.

A sign posted by one of the olive trees explains the tree’s history: “I was born in the year 908… Until 1985, I lived in an arid and cold valley in Spain. The Gard Departmental Council, passionate about my age and my history, adopted me, along with two others from my species. I was planted on 23 September 1988. I’m proud to be part of the prestigious natural landscape of the Pont du Gard.”

Shawn and me.

Left: A plane tree sports brilliant yellow leaves. Right: Shawn takes in the details of the Pont du Gard.

The Pont du Gard casts shadows on the rocky landscape.

Where in the World?

About the author

Hi! My name is Tricia Mitchell. I delight in telling stories about my slow travels through more than 65 countries. Some of my highlights have included sharing meals with locals in Armenia, Cambodia, and Tunisia; sipping sparkling wine with French cousins in Alsace; milking goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village; and training with a Japanese mine-clearance team in Laos. My husband, Shawn, and I are based in France’s Loire Valley.

22 responses to “France’s Breathtaking Pont du Gard”

restlessjo

March 19, 2023

It’s an amazing structure. Is it possible to access the higher level, Tricia? I like the shadow photo too.

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  March 20, 2023
  
  Merci for your compliment about the photo, Jo. :)
  
  I’ve read that visitors can take a guided tour, which allows them to visit the top level of the aqueduct. When we visited a few years ago, that tour wasn’t running for some reason. Another excuse to return!
  
  I imagine you’ve chanced upon some wonderful Roman ruins in Portugal during your walks? Do you have any favorites?
  
  1. restlessjo
    
    March 20, 2023
    
    There are some fairly local ones at Milreu, near Estoi, Tricia, and others still under excavation at Mertola in the Alentejo. Many places have aqueducts, the one at Evora being a good example. Plenty to see and do in that area. 🤗🌺
  2. Tricia A. Mitchell
    
    March 21, 2023
    
    It’s exciting imagining what they might uncover during those excavations, Jo! It’s also intriguing thinking about all of the sites that are still awaiting discovery.
    
    Also, I appreciate you sharing the names of some of Portugal’s Roman sites. I’m going to pin them on a map for future adventures. :)
  3. restlessjo
    
    March 21, 2023
    
    🤗💗
Darlene

March 19, 2023

Amazing pictures. The Romans built things to last. We saw something similar near Tarragona in Spain. So awesome. And that olive tree! Hope you two are doing well. xo

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  March 21, 2023
  
  Hi Darlene, your mention of an aqueduct near Tarragona piqued my curiosity, so I just looked it up. It must’ve been the Ferreres Aqueduct? If so, it looks fantastic. And you’re so right about the Romans building robust structures — it’s incredible that many of their theaters and bridges are still in use today.
  
  We’re doing well, thank you. We’re moving to France this spring. It’s been a lifelong dream, so I’m excited. Guess that means we’ll be closer to your neck of the woods — it would be fun to meet up someday! Thanks for stopping by, Darlene. :)
  
  1. Darlene
    
    March 26, 2023
    
    France, how wonderful! Yes, it was the Ferreres Aqueduct that we visited. It is incredible.
Carly | FearlessFemaleTravels.com

March 19, 2023

Swimming in the river here was a dream come true! 💙

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  March 20, 2023
  
  Hi Carly, the landscape was pristine when we visited, so I can see why your swimming experience was so memorable. Out of curiosity, which area did you stay in? We based ourselves in a small town called Sernhac. The hiking around there was lovely!
  
Tim Bolyard

March 20, 2023

Very nice, Tricia!
Love, Dad

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  March 23, 2023
  
  Thank you, Dad! :)
  
gallivance.net

March 20, 2023

Exquisite photos, Tricia! You really captured the beauty of the area. It’s been several years since I saw the Pont du Gard, and it never fails to make me marvel at the engineering of the time. We never made it to the museum, so I’ll be sure to put that on the list for next time. All the best, Terri

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  March 21, 2023
  
  Hi Terri, it’s great to hear from you! It’s been a few years since we visited the Pont du Gard, but I thought the museum there was fantastic. I enjoyed seeing how the aqueduct was constructed, as well as the displays speaking to the importance of water in ancient Roman settlements. We could’ve easily spent more time inside the museum and enjoying the landscape.
  
  During this visit, we stayed in a small town called Sernhac, where aqueduct tunnels can still be found. We loved hiking there and seeing that lesser-known section of the Uzès to Nîmes aqueduct. Another day, when we visited Nîmes, we saw the basin where the water was ultimately delivered. As you mentioned, the engineering is marvel-worthy.
  
  Hope you and James are well.
  
dianephotofluent

March 21, 2023

I loved Pont du Gard – it’s not just beautiful, but the history is pretty darn amazing.

How is it coming with the movers? SOOO exciting!!!

Best wishes,

Diane Evans | PhotoFluent Teaching travelers how to create photos they love
http://www.bephotofluent.com

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  March 27, 2023
  
  Bonjour Diane! I remember seeing your wonderful Pont du Gard photos during our photography class in 2020. Wouldn’t it be fun to meet there, perhaps not during your summer trip, but another time? I think that’s a très bonne idée. :) All is well with our moving preparation, slowly but surely. We’ll have to catch up again soon.
  
Bama

March 22, 2023

What a grand aqueduct Pont du Gard looks! And the fact that in its vicinity there are really old trees and a supposedly nice museum makes this corner of France sound very appealing to me. I must say I wasn’t aware of this Roman structure before, and when you mentioned Nîmes I immediately thought of denim jeans.

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  March 27, 2023
  
  Hi Bama,
  
  With its fantastic Roman temple (Maison carrée), arena, and new museum housing Roman artifacts (https://museedelaromanite.fr/en/) I could dedicate an entire post to Nîmes, too! It wasn’t until we visited Nîmes in 2017 that I learned the origin of denim jeans. It’s fun learning tidbits like that while traveling. :) I hope you’ll get a chance to visit this corner of France in the near future. We’ve only scratched the surface, but there’s much ancient Roman history to be appreciated in Occitanie and in neighboring Provence!
  
Claude Garcia

March 25, 2023

Bonsoir Tricia,

Mes compliments pour ce reportage sur le Pont de Gard, j’ai appris bien des choses.

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  March 27, 2023
  
  Bonjour Claude,
  
  Je suis heureuse que tu aies aimé le reportage de ce beau coin de ton pays. Shawn et moi espérons vous revoir bientôt avec Manu! :)
  
Sluggh

November 24, 2025

I was at the Pont Du Gard just today and visited your site to make sure I wasn’t dreaming! I was wondering what that city was in the distance. Now I know it is Uzes.

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  December 1, 2025
  
  Hello, the Pont du Gard is an awe-inspiring sight, so I can see why you’d need to pinch yourself to see if you were dreaming! If you’re still in the area, Uzès (and its fresh market) is certainly worth visiting. I’d recommend picking up some picnic ingredients at the market and then enjoying them while admiring the Pont du Gard: https://www.uzes-pontdugard.com/en/le-marche-duzes-un-des-plus-beaux-de-france/