Pont du Gard, France

The Pont du Gard is a large Roman stone bridge built to carry an aqueduct across the Gardon River. It stands near the village of Vers-Pont-du-Gard in the Gard department of southern France, in the Occitanie region. The monument is famous for its size, its three levels of arches, and the precision of its ancient engineering. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.

Although many people call it a “bridge,” its original purpose was practical: it was the most spectacular part of a long aqueduct system that brought fresh water to the Roman city of Nemausus (modern Nîmes). Today, it is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments in France and a major tourist destination.

Location

Pont du Gard is located between several well-known towns: Nîmes (about 27 km to the southwest), Avignon (about 21 km to the east), and Uzès (to the northwest).

Why it is famous

The Pont du Gard was built in the 1st century CE as part of the Nîmes aqueduct. The aqueduct channel ran along the top level, carrying water with a very gentle slope over a long distance—an achievement that required careful surveying and construction. The structure is about 48 meters high and roughly 275 meters long, making it the tallest known Roman aqueduct bridge.

Visiting information (prices and hours)

Walking access to the monument itself is free. Parking is charged per vehicle, currently €9, regardless of how many people are in the car or how long you stay; the ticket can be turned into a free annual parking pass online within 14 days.

Discovery spaces ticket (museum/cinema/etc., optional): €8 for adults, €6 reduced, free for under-18s. A guided tour that takes you up to the water channel on the top tier (about 80 steps) costs €15 for adults and €6 for children aged 4–17; an audio guide costs €4.

Opening hours: The site and car parks are open every day from 08:00 to midnight. The museum and other cultural spaces open from March to October (09:00–18:00 in March and October, 09:00–19:00 in April–June and September, 09:00–20:00 in July and August) and are closed from November to February.

How to get there

By car (most common option).
The site is close to exit 23 (Remoulins) of the A9 motorway, with car parks on both banks of the Gardon. Many visitors come as a half-day trip from Nîmes or Avignon, or combine it with Uzès and the surrounding villages.

By train + bus/shuttle.
The nearest train stations mentioned for access include Nîmes Centre, Nîmes Pont du Gard, Avignon Centre, and Avignon TGV. From Nîmes and Avignon, shuttle or regional bus connections are used to reach the Pont du Gard area.

By regional bus.
A known regional route connects Nîmes to Vers-Pont-du-Gard (often referenced as line 121), which is useful if you want to visit without a car. Travel time depends on the day and service pattern.