The entire 50-kilometer aqueduct system drops only 12.6 meters in elevation, an average gradient of 1 in 3,000.
The stones used for the bridge were quarried from the nearby Estel quarry, located less than a kilometer away.
The structure weighs approximately 50,000 tons.
The bridge was repurposed in the 18th century by adding a road bridge to the bottom tier of the arches.
Archaeologists believe the water channel at the top was originally lined with waterproof mortar made from a mixture of lime, water, and brick dust.
During the Middle Ages, the bridge was used as a toll bridge for local commerce.
The bridge was constructed to sustain the weight of the water channel, which carried an estimated 40,000 cubic meters of water daily to Nîmes.
The central arch on the second tier is the widest in the structure, measuring over 24 meters.
The Pont du Gard is a 48.8-meter-high Roman aqueduct bridge crossing the Gardon River in Vers-Pont-du-Gard. Constructed in the mid-1st century AD, it formed part of a 50-kilometer-long water system delivering water to the Roman colony of Nemausus, modern-day Nîmes. The structure features three tiers of arches, built entirely from shelly limestone blocks without the use of mortar. It is the highest of all elevated Roman aqueducts and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The bridge remains one of the best-preserved examples of Roman civil engineering globally. The site includes a museum, a cinema, and a dedicated exhibition space focused on Roman life. Visitors can access both banks of the Gardon River to view the monument from multiple perspectives.
The riverbank opposite the aqueduct at sunset provides the clearest view of the full three-tier reflection in the water.
Walk across the top level of the aqueduct to see the original water conduit and internal structural details.
Wear comfortable, grippy shoes as the path down to the riverbank involves uneven, rocky terrain.
Carry a refillable water bottle to use at the designated stations throughout the park.
Avoid visiting during the peak heat of summer midday, as the site has limited shade on the exposed bridge structure.
The site is open year-round, but specific visitor center and exhibition building hours vary by season.
Respect the archaeological integrity by not climbing on the ancient stonework or defacing the arches.
