Provence - Pont du gard
Nov 7th, 2011, 07:10 AM
#1
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Provence - Pont du gard
We will be visiting Provence/Paris in mid-June 2012.
All travel will be by public transportation. Train/Bus.
Consequently we'll be planning carefully according to schedules. I'm in the process of prioritizing as there are many sights we're interested in and are accessible for us.
I keep reading "don't miss Pont du Gard" and I'm trying to figure if there's anything more than the aqueduct.
I've been to Segovia and the Roman Aqueduct there. How much different is it and the setting?.
All travel will be by public transportation. Train/Bus.
Consequently we'll be planning carefully according to schedules. I'm in the process of prioritizing as there are many sights we're interested in and are accessible for us.
I keep reading "don't miss Pont du Gard" and I'm trying to figure if there's anything more than the aqueduct.
I've been to Segovia and the Roman Aqueduct there. How much different is it and the setting?.
Nov 7th, 2011, 07:53 AM
#2
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To me the Pont du Gard was okay, but since you are going to be in the neighborhood might as well see it. Please don't waste your time watching the movie. It is so stupid and a complete waste of time.
Have a great time.
Have a great time.
Nov 7th, 2011, 08:17 AM
#3
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Myer...I agree with cafe goddess. But the se4tting with it's river and some very nice viewing points are worth the short trip from other parts of Northern/Western Provence. The ride from Avignon (St. Remy, etc) is pleasant, but having driven it, I can't help with bus transportation info other than that
there were many busses in the parking area.
there were many busses in the parking area.
Nov 7th, 2011, 11:05 AM
#4
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Okay, this is one of my travel failures. We tried to see Pont du Gard up close and personal this summer, but upon arrival, the park had just closed.
Undaunted, with my handy notes in tow, we started driving. We saw it from a distance from one side, drove for an hour, crossed a bridge and saw it from a distance from the other side. Due to some construction at two different round-abouts, we could not get close to it unless we went into the surrounding park.
I'd read very carefully the route to take from the other side to get to a paved road down to a rocky beach area on the river to see it without going into the Disney-esque parking lot and entry area. We followed the directions to a "T" and located the rocky beach, but found NO view of the Pont.
At the end of the day, I felt like it really was not worthwhile.
We did find a fantastic cafe with an amazing chicken dish, pounded paper thin and then breaded and pan-fried. I thought the gravy, which was so rich was mushroom gravy, but the owner laughed when I asked about the ingredients, winked at me and said he wouldn't tell, but no champignon! He then came over with a litre of white wine in an old water bottle that married with the chicken so beautifully, I forgot about the Pont.
Undaunted, with my handy notes in tow, we started driving. We saw it from a distance from one side, drove for an hour, crossed a bridge and saw it from a distance from the other side. Due to some construction at two different round-abouts, we could not get close to it unless we went into the surrounding park.
I'd read very carefully the route to take from the other side to get to a paved road down to a rocky beach area on the river to see it without going into the Disney-esque parking lot and entry area. We followed the directions to a "T" and located the rocky beach, but found NO view of the Pont.
At the end of the day, I felt like it really was not worthwhile.
We did find a fantastic cafe with an amazing chicken dish, pounded paper thin and then breaded and pan-fried. I thought the gravy, which was so rich was mushroom gravy, but the owner laughed when I asked about the ingredients, winked at me and said he wouldn't tell, but no champignon! He then came over with a litre of white wine in an old water bottle that married with the chicken so beautifully, I forgot about the Pont.
Nov 7th, 2011, 12:11 PM
#5
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If you have to take public transportation, it is probably very time consuming with not that great a payoff - - it is unique and impressive, but not all that exciting just walking across it (though you can go for a swim down below in the river http://www.scaddistrict.com/?p=23874 ). The website has bus schedules http://www.pontdugard.fr/page.php?page=345&langue=GB
but If you did have a car, one great way to see it is to rent a kayak or canoe upstream at Collias - - you paddle to the Pont, park the canoe and go up and view, then paddle under it to the pick-up station where you get driven back to the rental facility.
http://www.canoe-france.com/en/gardon/index.html
but If you did have a car, one great way to see it is to rent a kayak or canoe upstream at Collias - - you paddle to the Pont, park the canoe and go up and view, then paddle under it to the pick-up station where you get driven back to the rental facility.
http://www.canoe-france.com/en/gardon/index.html
Nov 7th, 2011, 12:32 PM
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Only go to see it if you are interested in one of Europe's blockbuster sights
Pont du Gard (Rick Steves)
The Pont du Gard, a 50-minute bus ride from Avignon, is one of Europe's blockbuster sights. Throughout the ancient world, aqueducts were like flags of stone that heralded the greatness of Rome. A visit to this sight still works to proclaim the wonders of that age. This perfectly preserved Roman aqueduct was built as the critical link of a 30-mile canal that, by dropping one inch for every 350 feet, supplied nine million gallons of water per day (about 100 gallons per second) to Nîmes — one of ancient Europe's largest cities. Though most of the aqueduct is on or below the ground, at the Pont du Gard it spans a canyon on a massive bridge — one of the most remarkable surviving Roman ruins anywhere, second in height only to the Colosseum.
There are two riversides to the Pont du Gard: the left bank (Rive Gauche) and right bank (Rive Droite). Park on the Rive Gauche, where you'll find the museums, ticket booth, ATM, cafeteria, WCs, and shops — all built into a modern plaza. You'll see the aqueduct in two parts: first, the fine museum complex, then the actual river gorge spanned by the ancient bridge. The state-of-the-art museum's multimedia approach (well-presented in English) shows how water was an essential part of the Roman "art of living." You'll see examples of lead pipes, faucets, and siphons; walk through a rock quarry; and learn how they moved those huge rocks into place and how those massive arches were made. While actual artifacts from the aqueduct are few, the exhibit shows the immensity of the undertaking as well as the payoff. Imagine the excitement as this extravagant supply of water finally tumbled into Nîmes. A relaxing highlight is the scenic video helicopter ride along the entire 30-mile course of the structure, from its start at Uzès all the way to Nîmes.
While it's free to see the aqueduct, the various optional activities each have a cost: parking, museum, corny film, and a kids' space called Ludo (scratch-and-sniff experience in English of various aspects of Roman life and the importance of water). The extensive outdoor garrigue natural area, featuring historic crops and landscapes of the Mediterranean, is free (though a few euros will buy you a helpful English booklet). All these attractions are designed to give the sight more meaning — and they do — but for most visitors, only the museum is worth paying for. The combo-ticket — which covers all sights and parking — is a no-brainer for drivers, and the best bet for most visitors. Families save even more money with the family ticket (covers two parents and up to four kids). If you get a combo-ticket, check the movie schedule; the romancing-the-aqueduct 25-minute film is silly, but it offers good information in a flirtatious French-Mediterranean style...and a cool, entertaining, and cushy break.
Pont du Gard (Rick Steves)
The Pont du Gard, a 50-minute bus ride from Avignon, is one of Europe's blockbuster sights. Throughout the ancient world, aqueducts were like flags of stone that heralded the greatness of Rome. A visit to this sight still works to proclaim the wonders of that age. This perfectly preserved Roman aqueduct was built as the critical link of a 30-mile canal that, by dropping one inch for every 350 feet, supplied nine million gallons of water per day (about 100 gallons per second) to Nîmes — one of ancient Europe's largest cities. Though most of the aqueduct is on or below the ground, at the Pont du Gard it spans a canyon on a massive bridge — one of the most remarkable surviving Roman ruins anywhere, second in height only to the Colosseum.
There are two riversides to the Pont du Gard: the left bank (Rive Gauche) and right bank (Rive Droite). Park on the Rive Gauche, where you'll find the museums, ticket booth, ATM, cafeteria, WCs, and shops — all built into a modern plaza. You'll see the aqueduct in two parts: first, the fine museum complex, then the actual river gorge spanned by the ancient bridge. The state-of-the-art museum's multimedia approach (well-presented in English) shows how water was an essential part of the Roman "art of living." You'll see examples of lead pipes, faucets, and siphons; walk through a rock quarry; and learn how they moved those huge rocks into place and how those massive arches were made. While actual artifacts from the aqueduct are few, the exhibit shows the immensity of the undertaking as well as the payoff. Imagine the excitement as this extravagant supply of water finally tumbled into Nîmes. A relaxing highlight is the scenic video helicopter ride along the entire 30-mile course of the structure, from its start at Uzès all the way to Nîmes.
While it's free to see the aqueduct, the various optional activities each have a cost: parking, museum, corny film, and a kids' space called Ludo (scratch-and-sniff experience in English of various aspects of Roman life and the importance of water). The extensive outdoor garrigue natural area, featuring historic crops and landscapes of the Mediterranean, is free (though a few euros will buy you a helpful English booklet). All these attractions are designed to give the sight more meaning — and they do — but for most visitors, only the museum is worth paying for. The combo-ticket — which covers all sights and parking — is a no-brainer for drivers, and the best bet for most visitors. Families save even more money with the family ticket (covers two parents and up to four kids). If you get a combo-ticket, check the movie schedule; the romancing-the-aqueduct 25-minute film is silly, but it offers good information in a flirtatious French-Mediterranean style...and a cool, entertaining, and cushy break.
Nov 7th, 2011, 01:15 PM
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The bus around Pont du Gard is provided by Edgard Transport:
www.edgard-transport.fr/plan/?rub_code=5. For example A15 connects to Avignon.
You only see the winter schedule online now. The summer schedule is slightly better, but still not many buses per day. So if you do this by bus, triple check the schedule, ask your hotel, at ticket counter when you buy bus ticket, and confirm the return/on going bus schedule when you board the bus to Pont du Gard.
I liked the museum at the Pont.
If this is the only activity giving you a transportation issue, look for a tour or a taxi. While renting a car makes sense if you intend to keep the car for several days, a day rental with associated expenses as well as overhead time in picking up and returning the car and doing the paperwork, might favor just using a taxi.
Pont du Gard is a triple deck structure at 160 ft. The Segovia aqueduct is a 93ft double deck structure.
www.edgard-transport.fr/plan/?rub_code=5. For example A15 connects to Avignon.
You only see the winter schedule online now. The summer schedule is slightly better, but still not many buses per day. So if you do this by bus, triple check the schedule, ask your hotel, at ticket counter when you buy bus ticket, and confirm the return/on going bus schedule when you board the bus to Pont du Gard.
I liked the museum at the Pont.
If this is the only activity giving you a transportation issue, look for a tour or a taxi. While renting a car makes sense if you intend to keep the car for several days, a day rental with associated expenses as well as overhead time in picking up and returning the car and doing the paperwork, might favor just using a taxi.
Pont du Gard is a triple deck structure at 160 ft. The Segovia aqueduct is a 93ft double deck structure.
Nov 7th, 2011, 04:01 PM
#9
Original Poster
Thanks for the info.
This really looks like a circus.
It's been several years since I went to Segovia but I don't remember it being commercial at all. I got off the bus from Madrid, wandered a bit and enjoyed the beautiful sights.
I'll revisit it when the summer bus schedule is out.
This really looks like a circus.
It's been several years since I went to Segovia but I don't remember it being commercial at all. I got off the bus from Madrid, wandered a bit and enjoyed the beautiful sights.
I'll revisit it when the summer bus schedule is out.
Nov 7th, 2011, 04:53 PM
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Myer
If you google 'day tour pont du gard' you can find bus tours that leave from Avignon. I cannot speak to their quality (we got around in a rental car) but it is an option.
For what it's worth, bus service seems to be a bit more frequent from Nimes.
http://www.pontdugard.fr/page.php?rub=344&langue=GB#
If you google 'day tour pont du gard' you can find bus tours that leave from Avignon. I cannot speak to their quality (we got around in a rental car) but it is an option.
For what it's worth, bus service seems to be a bit more frequent from Nimes.
http://www.pontdugard.fr/page.php?rub=344&langue=GB#
Nov 7th, 2011, 05:53 PM
#12
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You don't say how long you will be in Provence, which might make a difference. Like others, I've gone by car, which I think would be faster than by bus. It's not a long way from Avignon or Arles, but might take up a half day.
The aqueduct itself is very impressive; second tallest remaining Roman structure after the Colosseum; you can walk across it and, yes, you can take a dip in the stream if you'd like. You want to go in good weather in order to spend time walking around.
Can get crowded on high season weekends.
The aqueduct itself is very impressive; second tallest remaining Roman structure after the Colosseum; you can walk across it and, yes, you can take a dip in the stream if you'd like. You want to go in good weather in order to spend time walking around.
Can get crowded on high season weekends.
Nov 8th, 2011, 01:50 AM
#13
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Alam_CT,
Well be in Provence about 8 days.
Continental_Drifter,
That's what I wrote. The Segovia aqueduct was not commercial at all while Pont du Gard appears to be very commercial.
Well be in Provence about 8 days.
Continental_Drifter,
That's what I wrote. The Segovia aqueduct was not commercial at all while Pont du Gard appears to be very commercial.
Nov 8th, 2011, 08:48 AM
#14
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I saw the Pont du Gard on my first trip to Europe, which began with a summer study program in Avignon, in 1969. We hit a lot of three-star attractions on our weekend field trips, and the Pont du Gard remains one of my most indelible travel memories. Yes, the ticky-tack kiosks were there, but I can remember thinking at the time, well, they're here for a reason.
Nov 9th, 2011, 06:08 AM
#19
Original Poster
twoflower,
I think you should include Segovia as it has more than just the aqueduct.
The Disneyland castle is patterned after the castle in Segovia.
I don't know if things have changed (if they've figured out a way to commerciallize the aqueduct since it's right in town with houses beside it) but it's a nice place to visit for part of a day.
I remember when I was there. After walking in and thru the castle I hiked (?) down and walked around to get views from different directions. I think I was the only person in these areas so it was cool.
On the way back to the bus station I passed what looked like a club/restaurant with a Canadian flag on the front. The door was locked.
I wrote down the name (don't remember it), found a web site and sent them an email.
I never got a response.
I think you should include Segovia as it has more than just the aqueduct.
The Disneyland castle is patterned after the castle in Segovia.
I don't know if things have changed (if they've figured out a way to commerciallize the aqueduct since it's right in town with houses beside it) but it's a nice place to visit for part of a day.
I remember when I was there. After walking in and thru the castle I hiked (?) down and walked around to get views from different directions. I think I was the only person in these areas so it was cool.
On the way back to the bus station I passed what looked like a club/restaurant with a Canadian flag on the front. The door was locked.
I wrote down the name (don't remember it), found a web site and sent them an email.
I never got a response.
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