Visit the Pont du Gard: tickets, prices, schedules

Do you want to discover monuments of great magnificence? You must visit the Pont du Gard, the Roman aqueduct!

Located in the homonymous department, the Pont du Gard is one of the most important tourist attractions in France. The Roman aqueduct, consisting of three floors, each impression of its visitors. Indeed, in front of such a monument, we feel tiny. Originally used to bring the water from Uzès to Nîmes, it is now open to the visit. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Seduced? Here is our guide to visit the Pont du Gard!

History of the Pont du Gard

Located in Vers-Pont du Gard, in the Gard department, the bridge is a Roman aqueduct, built in the I century of our era. His mission was to take the water, taken in Uzès, to the Roman city of Nemausus, the present Nimes .

In addition, the monument we know today is only part of the aqueduct. However, it is certainly one of the most incredible parts. In fact, beyond his visual, this three-level crossing over the Gardon. If today, such a monument may seem common, for the time, it is a true prowess. Thus, the Pont du Gard represents the Roman influence in the Province of Narbonnais . But also its power, economic and political.

Later, the Pont du Gard will be abandoned. However, interest in the aqueduct will be reborn relatively early in the 16th century. The population will then be able to visit the Pont du Gard. The place thus becomes a high place of French and global tourism. Finally, since 1985, the Pont du Gard has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Our tips to visit the Pont du Gard

Visit the Pont du Gard with a guide

Visiting the Pont du Gard with a guide is an excellent idea. If specialized leaflets or books help to know the history of the place, it does not replace the presence of a guide. The latter, a subject specialist, will allow you to visit the area without missing a detail or a story. For yes, visiting the Pont du Gard does not correspond to a simple admiration of the bridge. There is much more to discover, like the geographical, cultural or geological aspect of the place.

Coming as soon as possible

The Pont du Gard attracts millions of visitors every year. During school holidays, the site is filled with tourists. It may even be that parking becomes a real puzzle. We therefore advise you to come early in the morning, if possible, to facilitate your visit. For photographers, it will also make better shots.

In addition, during the summer period, temperatures can be canyicular. Coming in the morning thus prevents suffering from heat. In addition, no matter what time schedule, think about regularly desaltering you.

Put suitable shoes

If everything has been thought out to facilitate visits, the Pont du Gard remains a natural place. The site is vast. Therefore, you will have to walk, climb and descend stairs or even natural slopes. Having sports or hiking shoes is therefore necessary to avoid injuries and bulbs.

Take an anti-moustic repulsive

The Pont du Gard is located in the middle of a garrigue. It is therefore important to bet that mosquitoes are present during your visit. So you have to protect yourself from their stings, so you don't spend your time scratching yourself. Take a spray or anti-mouse cream. This will prevent you from being attacked in every direction.

What to do during your visit to the Pont du Gard?

Discover the museum and the Mémoires de Garrigue

Just next to the aqueduct, many spaces were arranged to expand the visit. So you can visit:

• The museum, which retraces the history of the Pont du Gard through a thematic journey;
• The ludo library, an ideal educational space for children between 5 and 12 years of age;
• The movie, where is broadcast a fiction-documentary focusing on the Pont du Gard;
• The Mémoires de Garrigue, a course reserved for the history of the Mediterranean landscape, Roman vestiges and local flora;
• Temporary exhibitions, dealing, in a singular way, the history of the place.

All of these activities are included in the entry ticket. However, you do not have to (all) do them. On the other hand, we advise you to discover the museum and the Mémoires de Garrigue. These two activities bring real value and help to better understand the history of the Pont du Gard.

kayaking on the Gorges du Gardon

Yes, this activity will not really make you visit the Pont du Gard. Here it is a complementary activity. If you stay several in the surroundings, you can kayak on the Gorges du Gardon. During your journey, an unforgettable moment awaits you. At halfway, you will simply pass under the Pont du Gard and thus see it from an original point of view. You can take a break to enjoy the moment. Watch out, you're gonna feel tiny! But what a pleasure it gives!

Attend the Nocturnes du Pont

Discover, in the moonlight, the Pont du Gard in an unprecedented way! Every summer, the Pont du Gard welcomes a sound and light show. The places are plunged into absolute black... except the aqueduct, on which are projected light games, magnified by different symphonies. If you're lucky to be in the Gard at this time, it's really worth it.

The entrance costs 5€ per person.

How much does a ticket cost to the Pont du Gard?

Classic visit

To visit the Pont du Gard, there are several rates:

• Adults: 9,50€ per person / 9€ on the ticketing online;
• Reduced tickets: 7€ per person. Eligible to offer: persons with disabilities, students, large families, job seekers and RSA beneficiaries;
• Less than 18 years old: for whom access is totally free.
• The guided tour option or Workshop: 6€ extra per person.

Annual subscription

An annual subscription is also available. It gives access to the site for 12 months. It also allows to benefit from reduced rates on cultural shows and animations, organized throughout the year. Two types of subscriptions are offered:

• The individual pass: costing 15€;
• The ambassador card: giving access to the site for 4 people (the owner + 3 friends or parents). This card costs 40€.

Access to the Gardois

For Gard residents, access to the Pont du Gard is free . Just submit an identity document and a proof of domicile, dating less than 6 months.

How do I book a ticket for the Pont du Gard online?

To book his tickets for the Pont du Gard, just go to the official site of the Pont du Gard. Moreover, online, the classical entry is 50 centimes cheaper .

Other solution: book online with tourist operators . This solution often allows to obtain a guide as well as the combination of several visits.

Are there guided tours of the Pont du Gard?

It is indeed possible to discover the Pont du Gard on a guided tour. The management agency offers its own guided tours. It will then have to count 6€ more on the entrance price.

Specialist operators also organize their guided tours. In general, prices turn around 10€ . Some of them even offer group rates, often advantageous.

Are there visits combined with other monuments of the Gard?

Several combined offers are available for the Pont du Gard.

Specialist operators

Some tourist operators offer combined tickets, including the Pont du Gard. The most frequent tickets are:

• Tours in Nîmes, Uzès and Pont du Gard ;
• The visits of the Roman sites ;
• The discovery of the Pont du Gard and Provence (Avignon, Arles, the Baux de Provence etc.)

The Romanity Tour

Culturespaces, the organism that manages, among other things, the Arènes de Nîmes and the Ancient Theatre of Orange , proposes the Romanity Tour . A ticket combining the main Roman sites of the Gard, namely:

• ♪ Arenas of Nimes ;
• La Maison Carrée ;
• The Tour Magne ;
• The Museum of Romanity ;
• And so the Pont du Gard.

To benefit from the Romanity Tour, you will have to pay the sum of 24€ .

The Nîmes City Pass

Finally, if you want to visit Nîmes and the Pont du Gard, you can also opt for the Nîmes City Pass. This pass allows access to many places of interest in the city Nîmes. Its duration may be 2, 4 and 7 days.

By taking a 4 or 7-day pass, access to the Pont du Gard is included . This allows you to combine the visit of the archaeological site with:

• Les Arènes de Nîmes ;
• La Maison Carrée ;
• The Tour Magne ;
• The Museum of Romanity ;
• The Museum of Fine Arts ;
• Art Square ;
• The Museum of Taurus Cultures ;
• The Old Nîmes Museum ;
• One guided tour of Nimes or small train ;
• The Museum of Natural History.

For the price, the pass 4 days is offered at the price of 29,50€ . As for the 7-day pass, count 27,50€ . The last formula is, therefore, more interesting.

Opening hours

The Pont du Gard site is open :

• In January, February, November and December: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ;
• March and October: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ;
• Between April and June, then in September: from 9h to 7h ;
• Between July and August: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m..

How to access the Pont du Gard?

Three means of transport are available to the Pont du Gard:

• The car: by theA9 motorway, exit 23 – Remoulins. Once you get out, you just need to follow the directional panels;
• The train: arriving at TGV stations in Nîmes or Avignon. Finish your bus trip;
• The bus: If you come from Arles or Avignon, take the bus A15. On the other hand, if you come from Nimes, it is the line B21.

Where to park near the Pont du Gard?

To visit the Pont du Gard, it is possible to arrive by two entrances. One on the left bank and one on the right bank. Each bank has parking. Good news, following the new tariff policy, parking is now included with the entrance ticket.

Where to stay near the Pont du Gard?

The offer of accommodation around the Pont du Gard is very important. You will find easily Airbnb , campsites, bed and breakfast or hotels. Besides, using a Compare hotels you will be of great help, in order to find the offer that corresponds. Especially as in the summer season, prices are rising sharply.

If you want to stay close to the site, then prefer Vers-Pont du Gard . If you would also like to visit the surroundings, Uzès seems to be the ideal city. Finally, if your stay combines the Garda prefecture and the Pont du Gard in particular, it will be more appropriate to sleep in the area Nimes .

From now on, you only have to visit the Pont du Gard. Enjoy this magical moment and tell us your passage in the comments!