The Pont du Gard site, nestled in the heart 165 ha of scrubland is the perfect place to walk, walk around and discover the many riches of this timeless place. It is a dive in a preserved fauna and flora and a protected historical heritage that we invite you to savor.
Can you drive across the Pont du Gard?
By the 1990s the Pont du Gard had become a hugely popular tourist attraction but was congested with traffic ” vehicles were still allowed to drive over the 1743 road bridge ” and was cluttered with illegally built structures and tourist shops lining the river banks.
Today, it remains the only example of a three-story antique bridge still standing, with three rows of arcades, one on top of the other: 6 arches on the bottom, 11 in the middle, and 35 on top.
Why should I visit the Pont du Gard?
An exceptional, natural site. The Pont du Gard, nestled in the heart of a 165-hectare natural site, lies in an outstanding natural environment! The Pont du Gard aqueduct, which is best known for its extraordinary scale, is alos renowned for the beauty and diversity of its natural setting.
Vers-Pont-du-Gard
How long was Pont du Gard used for?
The main work lasted between 10 and 15 years, under the reigns of Claudius and Nero, with the Pont du Gard taking less than five years. The aqueduct in its entirety counts several hundred meters of tunnels, three basins and some twenty bridges, of which the Pont du Gard remains the most spectacular.
What type of bridge is the Pont du Gard?
Arch bridge
Does the Pont du Gard still carry water?
Built over the period of just around 15 years in 50AD using 30 million shelly limestones, Pont du Gard aqueduct has the form of three arched bridges placed one atop of other. The top of the bridge features water-carrying channel with a constant gradient of just 2.5cm from one side of the bridge to another.
What does Pont du Gard represent?
The Pont du Gard is a Roman aqueduct in Southern France. It is in the Gard département, in the area of the commune of Vers-Pont-du-Gard. The name should mean “Bridge over the Gard” (the river Gardon). The aquaeduct supplied the city of Nîmes with water.
Who designed the Pont du Gard?
It has long been thought that the Pont du Gard was built by Augustus’ son-in-law and aide, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, around the year 19 BC. Newer excavations, however, suggest the construction may have taken place in the middle of the first century A.D, consequently, opinion is now somewhat divided on the matter.
What can you see at the Pont du Gard?
A masterpiece of ancient architecture, the Pont du Gard aqueduct is one of the most beautiful Roman constructions in the region. Discover a… On the site of the Pont du Gard, you will find a museum tracing the history of the Roman aqueduct. Models, virtual reconstructions, multimedia…
How do I get to Pont du Gard from Nimes?
The best way to get from Nîmes to Pont du Gard without a car is to line 121 bus which takes 1h and costs . How long does it take to get from Nîmes to Pont du Gard? The line 121 bus from Nîmes ” Gare Routière to Vers ” Rond-Point Pont du Gard takes 45 min including transfers and departs five times a day.
Did slaves build the Pont du Gard?
Built with slave labour Around 500 workers were taken on to build the Pont du Gard, and the same number again for the rest of the aqueduct. Some were paid, but slaves were also used, not just for the manual labour but for skilled work such as shaping the stone.
How long is Pont du Gard?
902′
What was the purpose of the Pont du Gard quizlet?
built by the Romans to carry water from a spring at Uzès to the Roman colony of Nemausus (Nîmes). Because the terrain between the two points is hilly, the aqueduct ” built mostly underground ” took a long, winding route that crossed the gorge of the Gardon, requiring the construction of an aqueduct bridge.
Why is the Pont du Gard considered to be an architectural triumph?
Of these, the Pont du Gard is considered among the best-preserved and a wonder of ancient construction”providing a glimpse of the Empire’s ability to spread new technologies to its colonies and thus across the world.
Is the Pont du Gard made of concrete?
The aqueduct is lined with cement composed of slaked lime and volcanic scoria [1].
What river is Pont du Gard on?
Bodies of water
Do you have to pay for Pont du Gard?
It was well worth it. The bridge itself is amazing to see, and the surrounding area is beautiful. What some people don’t seem to know is that access to the Pont du Gard is totally free for hikers ” the national hiking trails GR6 and GR63 run directly through the site.
How old is the Pont du Gard?
1,962
How do I get to Pont du Gard?
Come to the Pont du Gard From the A9 motorway, take exit 23 at Remoulins towards Uzès, then follow the signs to the right or left banks. Location: Nîmes is 27 km away, Avignon is 21 km away. Guarded parking areas, open from 7am to 1am are available, for the customers only.
What time does Pont du Gard close?
Opening hours of the site ” From April to june : 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ” July to August: 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
When was the Pont du Gard finished?
60 AD
Did Greece have aqueducts?
Aqueducts were used in ancient Greece, ancient Egypt, and ancient Rome. The simplest aqueducts are small ditches cut into the earth. Much larger channels may be used in modern aqueducts.
Why was it built the Pont du Gard?
The Pont du Gard was built shortly before the Christian era to allow the aqueduct of Nîmes (which is almost 50 km long) to cross the Gard river.
What is a drawback of load-bearing construction?
What is a drawback of load-bearing construction? The inability to insert large openings, such as windows, in the walls.
What are the two main periods of ancient Roman history quizlet?
What are the two main periods of Roman history called? Roman history is divided into the period of the Roman Republic, 509 to 31 B.C.E, and Imperial Rome, 31 B.C.E. to C.E. 476.
What distinguishes dry masonry?
What distinguishes dry masonry construction? Stones are stacked without mortar.
What design did the Romans use to span long distances?
Arches can carry much more weight than straight beams, allowing longer distances to be spanned without supporting columns. The Romans realised that arches didn’t have to be full semi-circles, allowing them to build their long bridges.
Where is Aqua Claudia?
The Aqua Claudia is one of the best known aqueducts since a stretch of no less than 10km of its arches can be seen in the countryside around Rome. The best way to see this is in the Parco degli Acquedotti, where they sometimes reach a height of over 27m.