The Pont du Gard – in search of the remains of the ancient aqueduct
The theme of this tour is the Roman Aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the famous Pont du Gard built around 50BC to carry water from Uzès to Nîmes.
The hiking we propose on this tour is a combination of quiet country roads that allow you to appreciate the villages as well as parts of GR-trails (“Grande Randonnées”, being Long Distance Paths). The daily walking distance varies between 4 and 11 miles, and the hiking is not difficult. Level: Moderate, gentle to rolling terrain with occasional short gradients. Although we don’t hike everyday, there will always be a reasonable amount of walking involved. Travelling close to the ground allows you to appreciate the natural beauty of the South of France to the fullest!
2010 Dates and Price
◊ Dates: April 11-18 , OR April 18-25
◊ Tour cost: $2145 per person, based on double room occupancy
◊ Single room supplement: $500, subject to availability
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Nîmes We will meet and transfer you to the first lodging near the Pont du Gard. The TGV (fast bullet train) from Paris or CDG airport has many trips per day to Nîmes. We will have an orientation meeting late afternoon followed by dinner together. Overnight in or near Nîmes. Dinner included tonight. (D)
Day 2: Nîmes After breakfast we will break out the walking shoes and explore the city of Nîmes that hosts some of the best preserved Roman monuments outside of Rome. Sights we will visit include: the Old City, Roman Arena, the Maison Carrée, and the end point of the Roman aqueduct, the Castellum. Overnight in or near Nîmes. Dinner on your own.(B,L)
Day 3: Eure Springs to Pont du Gard (11 miles - 18km) Today we’ll begin of our discovery of the remains of the aqueduct. We’ll start where it did, at the Eure springs near Uzes, heading in the direction the water flowed towards the Pont du Gard. We’ll enjoy the beautiful countryside and tiny villages along the way, stopping for a picnic en route. Sleep near the Pont du Gard. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Hike to Collias (4 miles -7km), Canoes, Pont du Gard Museum Our hike today will take us to Collias along the banks of the Gardon river gorge. From here we’ll canoe 1.5-2 hrs. (weather permitting) down river passing right underneath the spectacular Pont du Gard. We’ll learn more about this magnificent structure with a visit to the Pont du Gard museum. Sleep near the Pont du Gard. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Wine Tasting and Ambrussum (no hiking today) Today we set off for wine tasting at a family-run, organic vineyard in the small village of St Christol. Fabulous regional wine paired with a picnic lunch of local produce to complement the experience. In the afternoon we will explore the Gallo-Roman archeological site of Ambrussum complete with vestiges of a Roman road, the Via Domitia complete with visible traces of Roman chariot tracks. We’ll end our day where the source for the aquaduct begins - in the lovely medieval town of Uzès. Sleep in Uzès. (B, L)
Day 6: Pont du Gard to Sernhac via St. Bonnet (4 miles - 7km) To finish our exploration of the vestiges of the aqueduct, our scenic path takes us from the Pont du Gard through Remoulin’s woods and across the hills. We’ll stop to picnic and explore the little town of St. Bonnet with it’s vines, fountain and a fortified Romanesque church (partly built with stones from the aqueduct), before continuing on to the village of Sernhac with it’s two aqueduct tunnels dug into cliffs of a Roman quarry. Sleep in Uzès (B,L)
Day 7: Market Day in Uzès This morning you’ll have time to savor the sights and smells of Uzès’ reknowned market. We’ll spend time this afternoon discovering more of this beautiful region. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner together in Uzès. Sleep in Uzès (B, D)
Day 8: Departure day after breakfast. Transfer back to Avignon TGV station included. (B)
See more details at Upcoming Tours!
 |