Free walking tours in Vers-Pont-du-Gard and what to see

Must-sees

Vers-Pont-du-Gard is a village in the Gard built on the limestone hills that supplied the stone for the Pont du Gard. The aqueduct, built by the Romans in the 1st century, spans the Gardon valley with three tiers of arches and stands about 50 metres high. It was part of the channel carrying water from the springs near Uzès to Nîmes, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The visitor site includes a museum on the aqueduct and a trail through the garrigue.

The village deserves a stroll of its own. It keeps the clock tower of its old medieval enclosure and several wash houses fed by springs rising from the limestone massif, one of them right in the centre. In the north and east of the municipality, remains of the aqueduct survive among the vegetation, and an interpretive trail runs through the old quarries of Vers stone. To the south, the Gardon invites you to swim or canoe.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Vers-Pont-du-Gard. The usual thing is to visit the Pont du Gard on your own: Civitatis sells tickets for the site, which include the bridge and its visitor areas. It also offers kayak hire to paddle down the Gardon and pass beneath the arches, one of the loveliest ways to see it. If you are staying in Nîmes, Uzès or Avignon, many day trips include the aqueduct.

How long to spend

Allow half a day for the Pont du Gard and its museum. If you add the kayak trip or a swim in the river, it easily becomes a full day, especially in summer. With a second day you can explore the village, the wash houses and the quarries, and visit Uzès. The aqueduct is best enjoyed first thing or late in the afternoon, when there are fewer people and the light is softer.

Where to stay

Staying in Vers-Pont-du-Gard itself lets you reach the aqueduct before the groups and return at sunset. There are country cottages, guest rooms and the odd small hotel in the village and the surrounding area. Remoulins, a few minutes away, has more services, and Uzès is a pleasant base for those who prefer a livelier town. To get around the area, a car is almost essential.