During a week-long holiday in southern France with Ryan’s family, we made a short journey to see the Pont du Gard. Built around 50 AD by the Romans, the aqueduct was designed to bring water to the city of Nimes.
This bridge portion—the tallest portion at 160ft—is just one part of an long aqueduct system that ran both overground and underground for about 31 miles. Water from the source would have taken about 27 hours to get to the city this way.
It’s mind-blowing to think something like this could be built 2000 years ago. The sophistication of everything the Romans built and how much of it was built to last so long is incredible. Not to mention how far away from Rome they built much of it. I was most impressed with this because of the beautiful use of the three tiers of arches.
Once the Roman empire fell it because operated as a toll bridge by well to-do French locals.
Across the river Gardon is a what was once an old 19th century mill. Today it’s a restaurant.
Here’s proof that Ryan was there.
Here’s one to prove I was there. Forgive that I’m barely in it. Or be thankful. I don’t care.
