December, 2013 – Graham Miln

Pont du Gard

We rented a car in Avignon and drove out to see the Pont du Gard. This is a large Roman aqueduct spanning a valley to the west of Avignon. The aqueduct has been well maintained and repaired. The mix of old and new stone is clear to the casual observer.

To see the Pont du Gard an entrance fee is charged. For that fee you get parking, facilities, access to a museum and walking trails within a park.

As we approached the conversation in the car turned to what we were about to see. The ticket price elicited a “it’s just a bridge!” at which moment the Pont du Gard’s marketing slogan of “more than a bridge!” made sense.

We came away having had a good day but it really was just the bridge we wanted to see.

Three tiers of the aqueduct
Three tiers of the aqueduct

Looking across the valley
Looking across the valley

The impressively maintained Pont du Gard
The impressively maintained Pont du Gard

River below the Pont du Gard
River below the Pont du Gard

Young man jumping into the water below
Young man jumping into the water below

Water channel on the top tier
Water channel on the top tier

Tunnel carved through rock
Tunnel carved through rock

Lower part of the aqueduct leading to the Pont du Gard
Lower part of the aqueduct leading to the Pont du Gard

Track leading off into the countryside
Track leading off into the countryside

Shaded seats in Pont du Gard centre
Shaded seats in Pont du Gard centre

Trees growing within the centre’s complex
Trees growing within the centre’s complex

Four chairs and a table
Four chairs and a table

Panorama of the Pont du Gard