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 INTRODUCTION
Vers-Pont-du-Gard, a true oasis of greenery in the middle of garrigue, has kept its rural characteristic thanks to its vineyard , gardens and orchards. Famous for the quality of its wine (Coteaux du Pont du Gard) and its quarries from which came the stones used for building the Roman acqueduct “Pont du Gard†(a UNESCO world heritage site). The village was recently awarded a silver medal by the “Villages I Love†Association; it has shops, craftsmen, is both rural and touristic. It has 1342 inhabitants called the “Versoisâ€. Open to Europe, it is twined with Santa Vitttoria d’Alba in Italy, and Palézieux in Switzerland.
A MAGICAL SETTING
This prestigious monument is located in the magnificent setting of the end of the Gardon gorges.
A magical site drawing its power from the strength of the elements present, limestone rocky outcrops, water and Mediterranean vegetation. The Pont du Gard site is a water crossroads: where the aqueduct that snakes through the dense green countryside surges out onto the Pont du Gard to cross the Gardon river leaving the its gorges and heading down the plains to flow into the Rhone
- The Garrigue
One side of the river has a local scrub type vegetation known as garrigue, characterised by evergreen oak trees, low dense bushes, herbs and stone walled agricultural land. Agricultural use of this limestone based land has led to it being cut into a multitude of small parcels, lined with stone walls.
These parcels bear witness to the work of smallholders who have constantly strived over the centuries to make this land fertile. Today, these parcels, huddled around the aqueduct are used for the classic Mediterranean produce of grapes, cereals and olives. The sectors that had been abandoned have been restored and the stone walls and huts have remerged from the undergrowth.
- On the water's edge
On the other side of the river water has been more plentiful and huge plane trees line the alluvial plain and shady woods are dominated by small cliffs. The river banks were greatly modified though in Autumn 2002. The river Gardon flooded and ripped away most of the vegetation along its banks, clearing all the natural and mineral elements in its path. This is why there are white, eroded limestone rocks that appear to be high above the water level and large expanses of gravel and loam further downstream from the bridge.
A RICH ENVIRONEMENT
Fauna and flora form a magnificent natural setting to this monument built by man.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>The river Gardon and banks and gravel flats around the monument
<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>The surrounding scrub land,
<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Riverain vegetation (forests along a river's banks),
<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Cliffs and grottos,
<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Agricultural land
<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Evergreen oak forests
All these environments present very varied natural habitats arising from the Mediterranean climate, the type of soil and human activity. On the water's edge you can see herons, little egrets, bank swallows and kingfishers. From the bridge you can admire the aerobatic stunts of the Alpine swift a
nd you might even
catch a glimpse of an emblematic protected species, the beaver. In the countryside, the Bonelli's eagles soar overhead, the hoopoe's song is a delight to hear and you can admire the white flowers and red fruit of the strawberry tree coming to maturity in early winter. The cistus and its delicate pink springtime flowers, cade and its perfumed wood, etc…
- A protected site
Due to the quality of this natural environment of garrigue and evergreen oak forests, the Pont du Gard site has been listed as an environment site under the protection of the 1930 environmental law
WELCOME
2000 years ago over 1000 people worked for 5 years on the construction of the Pont du Gard.
The objective was to bring water to the city of Nîmes via a 50km long aqueduct. Since then people have flocked to marvel at the work: walkers, hikers, lovers, poets, painters, tour groups, apprentice explorers, from the region and beyond.
- A World Heritage site
Today, the site still attracts just as many visitors. The World Heritage monument stands in a natural environment of 165 hectares of Mediterranean countryside. The site has a story to tell and does so through animation and information for all.
- An invitation to (re)discover
The monument, in the full splendour of its natural and protected setting is accessible free of charge. The site offers a range of services (toilets, tourist information, first aid…) and a personalised reception. Lovers of history and archaeology, hikers or gentle walkers are invited to come and (re)discover this site that has been designed to offer you a pleasant and unforgettable visit. Groups, families, friends: organise your visit to best suit your tastes and desires…
THE MUSEUM
A full range of museum displays has been used to help visitors explore and understand this monument: models, full scale replicas, maps, multi-screen images, video and sound archives and all with a common denominator: water. The museum offers visitors the freedom to stroll for an hour through a different world or to take a deeper, half day immersion and test and broaden their knowledge…while having fun. A sort of modern day Roman road leads through a host of multimedia screens (in 4 languages) which provide information and allow visitors to explore at their own pace and also test their knowledge.
- The Gallo-Roman civilisation: city and water
A multi-screen presentation offers an immersion into everyday life in Nîmes, you can see and hear water flowing, inhabitants going about their everyday life and speaking in Latin, admire the antique monuments and also present day Nîmes.
The joys of water provided by the daily supply of 30,000m3 – public fountains, baths, games – are represented by a number of reproductions and notably by a magnificent 500m2 model of a Domus with gardens, pools, bathrooms and a water heating system with running water under pressure
- Construction of the aqueduct and the bridge
Three study elements comprise this part of the museum.
Aqueducts in the Roman world
A giant backlit map presents some fifty aqueducts built by the Romans throughout their Empire.
Building the aqueduct
The most spectacular element of this construction theme is the full scale reproduction quarry activities, water channels and two arches of the top layer of the Pont du Gard
Nîmes aqueduct
Visitors are met by a giant screen which shows a bird's eye view, from the spring to the water tower, of the path followed by the aqueduct, dotted with arcade bridges, multi layered bridges and quarries
- The Pont du Gard through the centuries and related images
This last section of the museum offers multiple representations of the Pont du Gard through three galleries.
Scientists' gallery : resentation of observations by scientists and historians of yesteryear and the present
Engineers' gallery : The debate in the middle of the 19th century on how to restore the Roman aqueduc.
Architects' gallery : A display based on the repairs and restoration projects from the Middle Ages to the present day
LODGING
See the listing of the Hotels in Nimes
See the listing of the Hotels in Avignon
PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS
Site of the Bridge of the Gard
La Bégude
400 Route du Pont du Gard
30210 , VERS PONT DU GARD
Times:
From 9:30 to 17:30 (19:00 from May to September)
- Opening
Museum, Cinema and Ludo will be closed from from january 7th until 25th 2008.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused
The Pont du Gard site is open all year round. The discovery areas are open every day
except Monday morning and from january 7th until 25th 2008 for maintenance purposes
Parking
There are two car parks with surveillance at your disposal, open from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. (5 € per day). There are 800 places on the left bank and 600 places on the right bank.
A bus reception quay is available.
The annual parking card costs 13 €.
The bus and coach parking fee is 50 €. This is not charged to groups visiting the discovery areas or taking a meal in one of our restaurants
Times
Cultural activities and shops:
Opening
from 9:00 or 09:30
to 17:30 or 19:00
depending on the season.
N.B.: the discovery areas are closed on Monday mornings.
ACCESS
The Pont du Gard is located between Remoulins (RN100) and Vers-Pont du Gard (D 81).
Road : A9 motorway, exit 23 at Remoulins, direction Uzès then follow the signs to the left or right
bank. Nearby: Nîmes 27 km, Avignon 21 km.
Rail : Nîmes and Avignon TGV stations. Since 2001 it takes just 2h50 for the TGV from Paris to Nîmes
GUIDED TOUR
Guided tours of the bridge are available, offering a detailed vision of the Roman achievements. These are available as a complement to the day fee or separately.
DURATION : 1H30
During the tour, the group is guided right up to the top level of the monument, into the channels where the water flowed when the aqueduct was in use
Intelligent exploration
Accompanied by specialists from the site, you will see the Pont du Gard from another point of view, with commentaries that will meet your desire to learn and understand
Meeting up with the past
On the left bank there is an open quarry where the Romans dug the stones to make the bridge, this is also part of the guided tour. 600m upstream of the bridge, a true archaeological discovery awaits you
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