Three tiers of Roman arches rising 49 metres above the river Gardon: this is the Pont du Gard, the tallest Roman aqueduct bridge in the world, and the first place I suggest to guests who want a memorable day out from Castillon-du-Gard. It was built in the 1st century and once carried water over 50 km, from Uzès to Nîmes. Since 1985 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is the most visited ancient monument in France.
The setting is a protected Mediterranean landscape of 165 hectares, 21 km from Avignon and 27 km from Nîmes. The site is entirely car-free. Walking or cycling in costs nothing, while parking, the cultural spaces, guided tours and workshops are charged. Inside you will find a museum, a cinema, the Ludo play area for children, the Mémoires de Garrigue trail and temporary exhibitions. A guided tour takes you up to the top level, where the view over the site is superb.
In July and August, a sound and light show lights up the arches every evening from sunset. During school holidays, family workshops cover Roman mosaics, oil lamps, laurel wreaths, ancient recipes and protective amulets.
For a meal, choose the Bistro, Les Terrasses facing the monument or Les petites terrasses. Shops on both banks sell regional products, clothing and souvenirs. With children, I like to recommend a picnic on the riverbank and some time by the water. The site is open daily from 8:00 to midnight.
