We're tacking on a couple of days at the end of our Best of Eastern France tour to visit Nimes and go see Pont Du Gard. From what I have read, you can only go up inside of the aqueduct on a guided tour, so we planned to book one on the day we'll be there. Sadly, it does not look like there are any tours in English available on that day. However, there are tours in French. We are not fluent, so I'm wondering-- is seeing the inside of the aqueduct cool enough that it's worth paying for the guided tour in French, even though we would not understand?
Posted by
Central Indiana
272 posts
I wouldn’t bother with a tour. There is a very informative on-sitemuseum that will tell you everything and more about it—in English.
Posted by
Loire Valley
824 posts
We did last year. The main advantage of the tour is that you actually cross via the Roman aqueduct, rather than the medieval bridge
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
I took the tour in English last year. I was lucky enough to get a ticket just as one was starting. The guide provided a lot of good information, but I would have gotten much less out of that in French, even though my French is good enough for basic tourist purposes. It was a long climb up 100+ steep steps to the top of the aqueduct, where they unlock the gate to let you through where the water used to flow. It's a narrow passage, lined with a thick coating of residue where the water and limestone interacted (like deep in a cave but streamlined and with no formations). We had to bend over for most of it. Then another set of steps down on the far side. While I found it interesting, I didn't enjoy the experience. I was glad to return on the bridge next to the base of the aqueduct.
You may be spryer and shorter than me, and better with French. But for me the inside of the aqueduct wouldn't have been cool enough to justify a French-language tour. The aqueduct is well signed in English, as is the excellent museum. Crossing on the medieval bridge is easy, and I'd recommend it. You can get something to eat or drink on the far side and enjoy the view. Nimes is also a good idea for your post-tour time. Don't miss Le Castellum, where the water was distributed from the aqueduct, designed to give priority to public needs over private. No fools those Romans!
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
52 posts
we decided to take a Viator tour which picks us up in Avignon and takes us to Pont du Gard, Nime (where water from the aqueuct flowed) and Uzes. yes, it is more money but it works for us. We booked the tour a few months ago.
Posted by
OP
Wisconsin
15 posts
Thank you for all of your perspectives! I may look into a Viator tour, but it's good to know that skipping the inside won't mean missing the best parts. We are excited for our trip!
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10621 posts
*we decided to take a Viator tour which picks us up in Avignon and takes us to Pont du Gard, Nime (where water from the aqueuct flowed) and Uzes. yes, it is more money but it works for us. We booked the tour a few months ago.”
From the description, this is a complete view of this Roman engineering feat from start to finish. The water source for the Pont du Gard is in a valley just below Uzès and the water was transported to serve the city of Nímes, passing through the Pont du Gard on the way.
Posted by
Los Angeles
4853 posts
I'm pretty sure Viator just takes a local tour and repackages it as a markup, which isn't necessarily bad but if you do some Google you can probably go directly to the source
Posted by
283 posts
On the viator site about half way down they tell you who the tour is operated by. If not listed click on additional info and it will be there.
Posted by
Chicago
8550 posts
I feel so lucky that when we were there years ago we could walk across the top of the aqueduct as well as in the watercourse. I would not go without having that experience and if I had to take a French tour so be it.