Pont du Gard Roman Aqueduct

Stretching more than 900 feet across and nearly 2,000 years old, the Pont du Gard Roman Aqueduct is a stunning testament to ancient engineering. And it's a must-see if you're traveling to southern France.

Situated about 15 miles east of the medieval French city of Avignon in southeast France, the Pont du Gard spans not only the Gardon river, but also nearly 20 centuries.

And now the bridge itself is the centerpiece of a modern and sprawling exhibition site dedicated to this feat of Roman engineering.

We traveled to Pont du Gard as part of an excursion set up by the cruise company we were on, AmaWaterways. And it ended up being one of our more memorable trips. The sheer size of the site and the well-preserved architecture really left us in awe!

Plus, we had the added bonus of having a tour guide to give us detailed background about its history.

After the Franks and Visigoths overtook the region in the 6th century, the Pont du Gard was partially dismantled and its stones reused as building materials. And over the next several centuries, it stood unused.

Our guide told us that the first restoration project began in the 15th century, followed by ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance the landmark. Finally in 1985, UNESCO listed the Pont du Gard as a World Heritage Site. And in 2000, the complex was reopened to the public, complete with a museum and cinema detailing its history.

Now it's France's most popular ancient monument among tourists, with more than 1 million visitors a year. 

How to see the Pont du Gard

The Pont du Gard monument is accessed via a contemporary visitor center. That's the first stop after you park or your car or arrive via bus. Here, you can grab your tickets and head to the bridge—or you can check out the museum, cinema, or bistro (more on those below).

To reach the Pont du Gard, we walked through the visitor center and along a lightly forested path for about 15 minutes. As we passed the river bed and ancient olive trees, suddenly the bridge rose up and we were able to get a sense of the amazing size and scale of the monument.

Made up of three separate tiers, the bottom two feature expansive stone arches, while the top tier has smaller arches and a channel. This is where the water actually flowed across the bridge.

Featuring intricate mason work, the arches on the original structure were built using dry masonry, no mortar. And we could still see the precision of the cut stones, as well as notches in the monument that supported the wood scaffolding for the builders.

While you can walk across the site using the lower footbridge today, the upper tier is closed to visitors in order to help preserve it. That said, you can still make your way up to the top. The shortest route is via a winding stone stairway. It only took us a few minutes to complete the journey and our view from the top was well worth it!

Pont du Gard exhibit center

While the actual Pont du Gard is certainly the main attraction, the site also offers an immersive experience into the history of the area through its museum and cinema, all located within the welcome complex.

Museum

Ever wondered what it was like to build such a massive monument 2,000 years ago? The onsite museum provides an in-depth look at the construction methods of the time, as well as what daily life was like in the nearby Roman settlements.

We had a few minutes to spare, so we headed down the stairs to the underground museum to glance at a few of the artifacts.

Admission is free with the price of your Pont du Gard ticket and the museum is open all year round.

Cinema

Adjacent to the museum is the cinema, which offers a glimpse into the life and times of ancient Rome in the area via a short film. The roughly 12-minute movie is available in several languages and is also included with the price of admission.

Ludo kids area

Kids can get a hands-on impression of the site by visiting the Ludo area. This exhibit goes beyond simply viewing static artifacts, featuring an interactive look at ancient Roman civilization and engineering at the time.

The Ludo is designed for kids aged 5-12.

Pont du Gard Bistro

If you've worked up an appetite at the museum and cinema, head to the neighboring Pont du Gard bistro. Here you'll find a selection of sandwiches, pastries, ice cream, and drinks to help you fuel up for the rest of the sightseeing ahead!

Gift shop

I love a good gift shop and the one at Pont du Gard does not disappoint. Located across from the museum, it has all you'd expect—from t-shirts and postcards to snow globes and keychains. It also has a selection of artisan souvenirs and items from the surrounding areas in the south of France.

Restaurant Les Terrasses and Les Petits Terrasses

Situated in the shadow of the Pont du Gard are the Restaurant Les Terrasses and Les Petits Terrasses Bistro. These two eateries are a great place to grab a drink or a bite to eat while visiting.

The restaurant has a full food and drink menu suitable for sit-down meals, while Les Petits Terrasses features a selection of sandwiches, salads, and ice cream (perfect for those hot summer days) that you can enjoy there or take to go.

Pont du Gard tours

While we had a tour guide provided by our cruise, you can also take one offered at the site for an in-depth experience at the Pont du Gard. They provide a rich history of what went into the construction of the site, offering details you may not discover on your own.

Days and times vary and there is some walking involved (and steep stairs if you decide to climb to the top), so dress accordingly.

Prices are about $16 for adults and $7 for kids.

Getting to the Pont du Gard

No trains go to Pont du Gard, but you can get there by bus and car from the nearby cities of Avignon and Nimes.

By public bus

If traveling from Avignon, take the 115 liO bus line to destination Vers-Pont-du-Gard (timetable).

From Nimes, take the 121 liO bus line to the same destination (timetable).

Buses depart at various times throughout the day and not every hour, so it's best to check the timetable. The fare is around $2.

By car

The Pont du Gard is about 16 miles from Nimes and 13 miles from Avignon.

By car from Avignon, take the N100 to the A9 and get off at exit 23 - Remoulins.

From Nimes, take the D6086 to the D981, which leads to the historic site.

Cost for parking is about $10 a day.

By tour bus

Since this excursion was included in our cruise, a private bus picked us up at our ship, and the drive to the site from Avignon only took about 30 minutes.

We typically don't take tours, but this was a convenient way to get to the site. Plus, the tour guide on the bus also served as our guide after we got there.

He was incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the ancient aqueduct and we felt it really enhanced our understanding of the Pont du Gard, beyond simply visiting on our own.

When to visit the Pont du Gard

This stop was one of our favorites during our week-long cruise. We visited in early November and the site was not very busy. But our guide cautioned that in the height of summer, it can be teeming with people. So if you're thinking about visiting, consider the spring or fall to avoid the crowds.

While the opening hours can vary, pricing is reasonable year round.

Hours and cost

Hours: The Pont du Gard itself is open daily from 8 a.m. to midnight. But the museum, cinema, and on-site restaurants close in the early evening, except during July and August, when visitors can enjoy extended hours.

Cost: About $9 per person, which grants access to the site and the accompanying museum and cinema.