Pont du Gard
Private Driver to the Pont du Gard from Avignon
Built by the Romans about 2,000 years ago to carry water to Nîmes, the Pont du Gard is the highest known Roman aqueduct bridge, nearly 50 metres tall. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The bridge and its three tiers of arches over the Gardon river.
- The museum and visitor centre.
- Swimming in the Gardon in summer, below the bridge.
Our options: Avignon ↔ Pont du Gard (about 30 min) from 84 € · Half day with waiting time on request · Full day Pont du Gard + Uzès (Saturday market) + Nîmes (arena) on request.
How long do you need at the Pont du Gard?
Plan on two to three hours on site. The bridge is a few hundred metres' walk from the visitor centre, and you can see it from both banks of the Gardon river. That gives you time to walk to the bridge, cross the pedestrian deck, visit the museum and sit by the water for a while.
A few practical tips:
- Go early or late in summer. There is little shade, and the heat builds quickly in the surrounding scrubland.
- Pick your bank for photos. Morning light falls on one face of the aqueduct and evening light on the other. Tell your driver what time you plan to visit and they can drop you on the better side.
- Bring swimwear and water shoes if you plan to swim. The riverbanks are pebbles and rocks.
- Off season, the site is much calmer, and autumn light on the golden stone is lovely.
While you explore, your driver waits on site with your belongings in the car. You carry nothing and leave whenever you are ready.
How far is Uzès from the Pont du Gard?
Uzès is about 20 minutes from the Pont du Gard, and Nîmes about 30 minutes. Together they make a natural loop from Avignon.
A typical day trip
- Morning: leave Avignon and visit the Pont du Gard before the heat.
- Late morning: Uzès, with its lanes, the ducal castle and the arcaded Place aux Herbes. Saturday is the big market day.
- Afternoon: Nîmes, with its Roman arena, the Maison Carrée temple and the Jardins de la Fontaine.
- Return to Avignon in the early evening, about 45 minutes from Nîmes.
For a slower pace, keep just the Pont du Gard and Uzès, with an unhurried lunch.
Canoeing to the Pont du Gard
One memorable way to see the aqueduct is to paddle down the Gardon by canoe from Collias, a few kilometres upstream, and float under the arches. Your driver can drop you at the start and pick you up at the finish. Check river conditions with the canoe hire company before booking, as they depend on water levels.
Who is this trip best for?
- Families: walking, swimming and the museum make it an easy day out with children. Child seats on request.
- River cruise passengers docked in Avignon: a half day is enough to see the Pont du Gard and be back at the boat on time.
- Roman history fans: pair the aqueduct with Nîmes, the city it supplied with water, or with the Roman theatre in Orange on another day.
- Rail travellers: Nîmes Pont-du-Gard TGV station, in Manduel, can be a handy arrival point depending on your route.
What else is there to see nearby?
- Castillon-du-Gard and Vers-Pont-du-Gard, two small villages close to the site.
- Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, on the way back, with Fort Saint-André and its view across the Rhône to the Palais des Papes.
- The Gard side of the Côtes du Rhône, around Tavel and Lirac, for a rosé stop on the drive home.
To add a visit of Avignon itself, see our page on Avignon and the Palais des Papes. Vehicles and options are listed on our prices page.
Let us know how many of you are travelling and what you would like to see, and we will send a fixed price per vehicle, not per person.
Frequently asked questions
How far is it from Avignon?
About 30 minutes.
Can you swim there?
Yes, in the Gardon in summer, conditions permitting.
Can we combine it with Uzès?
Yes, as a day tour.
