The Pont du Gard

A walking tour in search of the remains of the ancient aqueduct

: Pont Du Gard

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

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 Uzès, 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 on 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)

What’s Included

Personal attention from two local and expert guides.
Transfers from the train station or airport to the hotel on Day 1 and return transfers on Day 8.
Local transport in comfortable 8-passenger minivans, including transfers with luggage to and from train station and between hotels.
Maximum group size will normally be 16 tour members.
All breakfasts, most lunches and 4 dinners. Meals indicated (B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner). Lunches will be picnics or at local cafes; dinners at restaurants serving traditional local cuisine. Beverages not included at lunches or dinners.
Sights and activities included: in Nîmes: walking tour of the Old City, the Roman Arena, the Maison Carrée, and the Castellum. Wine tasting, Pont du Gard Museum, Ambrussum, and market day in Uzès.

Accommodation

7 nights in charming, well-located two and three star hotels (All rooms with private shower and bathroom). 2 nights in or near Nîmes, 2 nights near the Pont du Gard, and 3 nights in Uzès.

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Yoga, Chocolate and Cheese

Paris + the South of France

June 19-27, 2010, $2995

Begin each day with yoga classes to refresh and energize your mind and body in preparation to experience the myriad of sights and flavors in Paris and the South of France. Classes will be taught by certified yoga instructor and France tour guide, Chris Coleman.

If you want to secure a spot on the tour, a $500 deposit is required. A minimum of 8 people is needed for this tour to run. Sign up by November 15th for a $100 discount!

Sat, June 19 - Day 1: Welcome to Paris We’ll meet in the afternoon at our hotel followed by a short walk through our neighborhood, followed by dinner. Sleep in Paris (2 nights).

Sun, June 20 - Day 2: Historic Paris and French chocolate This morning we’ll begin with a yoga class to shake off any remaining jet-lag followed by breakfast at a nearby café. We will then take a walking tour exploring the city and visit some of the best chocolatiers around. Afternoon is free to explore sites of your choice.

Mon, June 21 - Day 3: TGV to the South of France We will take our TGV bullet train (average speed is 170 mph!) to the south of France and then a bus transfer to the hotel in or near Vaison la Romaine. Today is Fête de la Musique – street concerts, bands and events in most cities and villages of France (including ours), on the occasion of the summer solstice. Dinner together. Sleep in or near Vaison-la-Romaine (5 nights).

Tues, June 22 - Day 4: Outdoor Market Day and the Romans Wake up this morning to the sights and sounds of the market. Enjoy the morning strolling at the market sampling the fresh and local cheeses, breads, honey and produce. Meet after lunch to visit the Roman ruins that gave Vaison the last part of it’s name “la-Romaine” at the turn of the last century.

Wed, June 23 - Day 5: Côte du Rhone wines and Lavender After some exercise (a walk or yoga) we will enjoy wine tasting in the region visiting nearby Côte du Rhone wine villages such as Gigondas or Rasteau. We will take a scenic drive to take in the brilliant sights of sunflowers and lavender fields at the peak of the season!

Thurs, June 24 - Day 6: Roman Ruins Today we’ll visit some of the most awe-inspiring Roman ruins around the ancient empire. We will see the well-preserved 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard -a UNESCO site. Also we are lucky to see the Roman theatre of Orange with an impressive and intact back stage wall – only one of three left in the world.

Fri, June 25 - Day 7: Provencal Villages Today we’ll explore a lovely area in a regional park called the Chaîne des Alpilles which means “baby Alps”, a small mountain range in Provence. Visit the village of Les Baux, a rock-top fortress which belonged to the rebellious family of the same name in the Middle Ages. The Alpilles were immortalized in art by Vincent van Gogh, who painted many images of the landscapes here during his time in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence on the north side of the mountains. Visit Saint-Rémy or other charming nearby villages, including a olive oil tasting in this area that is prized for the quality olive oil production.

Sat, June 26 - Day 8: TGV back to Paris Transfer to the train station to take our bullet train back up to the City of Lights. You will have time for some last minute sightseeing in Paris before we enjoy our farewell dinner together. Overnight in Paris (1 night).

Sun, June 27 - Day 9: End of tour The trip is over after breakfast. Au revoir! Your guides will help you with any post-tour travel plans.

Why this tour will be so awesome:
Small group (8-16 people max)
Personalized attention with 2 fun, expert France guides (one is me!)

Eat amazing food, experience the local culture up close and personal
Yoga and other active pursuits like hiking offered most every day – this allows guilt-free chocolate and cheese indulgences!
Staying for 3 nights in the center of Paris and 5 nights in one of my most favorite towns in France- Vaison-la-Romaine in the Cote du Rhone valley as our home-base for the South of France

What’s included: Quality and trusted 3 Hotels (3 nights Paris and 5 nights Vaison-la-Romaine) all breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners, yoga classes offered with me or a guest instructor most everyday, all transportation while with the group (including roundtrip train Paris-Avignon, and mini-bus for short trips around Vaison), all tips while with the group- at restaurants and this includes guide tips, all sightseeing with the group: chocolate tasting/walking tour with a local guide in Paris, wine tasting, Roman ruins galore including the famous aquaduct Pont du Gard, the antique theatre in Orange and villas in Vaison-la-Romaine, did I say wine tasting?, hiking, charming villages, olive oil tasting, local markets, cheeses & lavender!!!

What’s not included: International airfare, transport to/from airports & hotels, beverages during group meals, and any meals not included with the group, any transportation or sights visited while not with the group.