Montpellier to Nimes and Pont du Gard: Private day trip

Founded by the Romans, Nimes quickly became a regional capital, with a population of 60,000 by the time of Augustus. In 736-737, much of the city before heading back north. Despite being a shadow of its former self, the city is still home to France’s best collection of Roman remains. Before even entering the city, the massive aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the finest remaining anywhere. The city is also home to one of the three large arenas in the South of France, and still used for events to this day. It’s other Roman jewel is the Maison Carrée - the best preserved Roman temple in the world. At the edge of town, the Jardins de la Fontaine are one of the oldest city parks in France, offering a delightful mix of of greenery, fountains and shade, with a Roman Temple of Diana thrown in for good measure.

In the 1st century AD, the burgeoning city of Nemausus (modern day Nîmes) was facing a growing water shortage, so the Romans had to build an aqueduct from Fontaine d'Eure 20 km away. The result was a winding, 50km long structure that descended 2.5 cm in 456 m, with variations in the slope because a constant gradient would have required the Pont du Gard be higher than they could feasibly build it. It served as an aqueduct until the 6th century before becoming a tollgate in the Middle Ages, and was used as a bridge from the 18th to 20th century. A massive project in started in 2000 cleared any construction from the surrounding area, putting the Pont du Gard back in its original setting. Along with seeing the monument, visitors also have access to a museum covering the aqueduct’s construction, and several other exhibitions relating to the area’s history. Before booking your visit, please check the site’s hours at http://www.pontdugard.fr/en/practical-information