Pont du Gard (11 October 2024)

 

Pont du Gard

It was time to move on.  We weren’t going far - about 30 kilometres to Avignon.  However, I decided we should detour to Pont du Gard a roman aqueduct that has survived two millennia.

 

The aqueduct was built in 1CE to carry water from a spring near Uzés to Nimes which was a major Roman centre, over a distance of 52 kilometres.  The remarkable thing about it was the precise engineering with the average gradient being 1cm in 1.84m.  It was also covered for most of the way.   The aqueduct functioned until about 6CE and then fell into disrepair and disuse due to a lack of maintenance.  Over the years the stones that made up portions of the aqueduct were repurposed by the locals including 12 arches of the Pont du Gard  on the left bank of the Gardon. 


 

Remarkably the bridge remained in use as a toll bridge. Later in its life another bridge was built alongside the Pont.  I thought it was part of the original structure.  In the 19th century the Pont was in disrepair and the authorities recognised its importance and a considerable amount of renovation occurred. 


 

I did reflect that here was a structure that has lasted two millennia which says something about the Romans willingness to invest and make something that will last.  Today’s politicians might take a lesson about doing things well at the beginning to ensure they last.  The initial cost will be higher but they will get better quality.

 

The weather was perfect for our visit, sunny and still.  We wandered around the site for a few hours before returning to the car and making our way to our accommodation in Avignon.

 

All went well initially and we quickly found our street.  Unfortunately we got the number wrong and I was sent up the narrowest street imaginable. Each corner got tighter.  There were centimetres between walls at one point.  The corners were really tight and in one I clipped a piece of scaffolding in the turn. The man responsible for putting up looked on in horror as he considered the consequences of the structuring falling down due to a mad tourist taking the wrong turn.   Fortunately I didn’t take it with me nor did I scratch the car. 

 

Our apartment was up three flights of stairs which required a bit of carrying of our stuff.  Lifts are a wonderful thing. 


 

We were close to the old city so wandered around it for a little while and picked up some supplies.  It is rather beautiful with a mostly intact defensive wall protecting the old city.  History is everywhere one looks.  

 

Avignon city wall







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