Pont du Gard: Day Trips and Tours from Avignon

Located just a short drive from Avignon, Pont du Gard is a Roman aqueduct that was built over 2,000 years ago. Today, it is one of the best-preserved examples of Roman engineering.

Pont du Gard is also an incredibly scenic spot, set amidst rolling hills and vineyards. Visitors can learn more about the aqueduct at the Pont du Gard museum, or simply admire the panorama from one of the many walking trails.

A Pont du Gard day trip from Avignon is a must for anyone with a thirst for Roman history or a love of unusual scenery.

How to get to Pont du Gard from Avignon?

Pont du Gard is located in the Occitanie region of Southern France, and is close to the towns of Nîmes, Uzès and Avignon.

From Avignon to Pont du Gard by car

The journey to Pont du Gard from Avignon by car is an easy drive and takes around 30 minutes. You'll take the N580 out of Avignon and follow it across the bridge.

From there, you'll change onto the D2 but quickly turn off onto the N100. Continue along the road for most of the journey. At Remoulins, take the exit and follow signs for Pont du Gard.

From Avignon to Pont du Gard by bus

There is a direct bus that leaves from Avignon's Gare Routière PEM station and travels to Pont du Gard, taking roughly 35 minutes. The bus you should take is line 115 and you'll disembark at Vers - Rond-Point Pont du Gard. From there, it's a 15-minute walk to the archaeological site.

Guided tour to Pont du Gard from Avignon

Most Pont du Gard day tours last approximately five hours and start around 9 AM. Occasionally, they will include a pickup from your hotel, but it's more common to meet in the center of Avignon. Usually, day trips depart from outside the tourist office.

How much does the entrance ticket to Pont du Gard cost?

The entrance fee for a day trip to Pont du Gard is minimal, making the Roman aqueduct a budget-friendly outing for the whole family. The fee covers the entrance to the discovery areas, which includes the museum, children's area, cinema and temporary exhibition.

• Adults: €6.50
• Children: Free
• Reduced rate for those who are unemployed or RSA recipients: €5

Persons with disabilities and students also benefit from free admission to the site.

You can choose to take a tour of the bridge when visiting Pont du Gard for a reasonable price.

• Adults: €12- €15
• Children: €6

This fee also covers the entrance to all of the discovery areas.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Pont du Gard from Avignon?

Pont du Gard day tours typically start around 9 AM, however, there is sometimes the option to take an afternoon tour. Most tours operate in small groups and travel by air-conditioned minivan.

Pont du Gard is usually the last stop of the day and is preceded by other historical sites in the surrounding area. Depending on the tour you take, these might include Remy, Uzès, Nîmes or Les Baux. It's not often that a tour guide is included, so you'll have free time to roam the landmarks at your own pace.

Lastly, you'll stop at Pont du Gard where you can choose to take a guided tour of the aqueduct at your own expense, or simply admire the three-tiered monument alone. The museum is also worthy of a visit before heading back to the center of Avignon, where your day trip ends.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Pont du Gard?

There are several different Pont du Gard day tour options, each of which visits several other locations en route.

Half-day tour to Pont du Gard plus Uzès and Nîmes from Avignon

This half-day tour takes you on a journey through time, by visiting the first-century Pont du Gard aqueduct, as well as the medieval town of Uzès that shows signs of Roman life.

You'll also take a trip to neighboring Nîmes and see the coliseum that's regarded as the second-best in the world. Unlike many Roman landmarks, the Nîmes coliseum is still used today.

Small group tour to Pont du Gard plus Remy and Les Baux from Avignon

On this tour, there is a limit of eight passengers which allows for a more personal experience. As well as visiting the ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pont du Gard, you'll also take a trip to Saint-Remy-de-Provence which is rich in historical significance.

The town houses two legendary first-century monuments — an arch and a mausoleum referred to together as Les Antiques. As well as this, Remy is the birthplace of the 16th-century seer Nostradamus.

Vincent van Gogh also spent time in the town's mental institution after cutting off his ear. This was the location where he painted some of his most notable works, such as "Starry Night."

You'll also pay a visit to Les Baux which shows signs of life from 6,000 B.C., where you'll visit some of the most cultural landmarks, such as the medieval castle.

Day trip to Pont du Gard plus Arles and the Alpilles from Avignon

This day trip is with a small group numbering just eight. The first stop of the day is at the monastery of Saint-Paul de Mausole — the former mental facility that van Gogh voluntarily checked himself into. These days, several rooms are used as a van Gogh museum and the monastery itself dates back to the 11th century.

Next, you'll visit the town of Arles, known for its traditional French market that runs every Saturday. It is also the location where van Gogh painted over 200 of his best works, and like many other towns in the region has strong links to Ancient Roman times.

You'll also stop at Les Baux on your Pont du Gard day trip, before finally visiting the Roman aqueduct itself.

Half-day trip to Pont du Gard plus wine tasting tour from Avignon

A day tour that includes a wine tasting starts at the famous Pont du Gard and continues to the Roman Theater of Orange. This first-century structure is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and currently houses the summertime opera festival, Chorégies d'Orange.

After exploring both of these sites, you'll head to a Chateauneuf du Pape winery for a tasting session.

How much does a tour to Pont du Gard from Avignon cost?

Pont du Gard day trips that visit Uzès and Nîmes cost around €80, and include transportation from your hotel and entrance fees.

Tours that add Remy and Les Baux to the itinerary include transportation from the center of Avignon and entrance fees for Pont du Gard. You should expect to pay €70.

Day trips to Pont du Gard, Arles and the Alpilles include just eight guests and cost approximately €105. This includes a driver who is also a guide to provide live commentary on board and round-trip transportation.

Tours that include a stop at a winery cost €70 and include a driver who is also a guide, transportation and a wine tasting session. The tour is also limited to eight guests.

What will you see and do in Pont du Gard?

The Pont du Gard is a three-tiered aqueduct bridge that was constructed by the Roman Empire and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is one of the most well-preserved Roman ruins in the world and was built in the first century.

The Pont du Gard consists of 49 arches and is the highest of all the aqueducts built by the Romans. The bridge was built to transport water from a spring in Uzes to the city of Nîmes.

The museum is also worth a visit on your Pont du Gard day tour, showing life-size virtual reconstructions of the ancient Roman world. You can dive into what Roman life was like and how the aqueduct played an important role in the town. You'll also see models, maps and documentaries.

When is Pont du Gard open over the year?

The site is open throughout the year, although the museum closes for two weeks in January — from the 6th to the 17th.

The museums, cinema and children's area also close on a Monday morning for maintenance.

What are the opening times?

The archaeological park opening times are as follows:

• January - March: 9 AM- 8 PM
• April - December: 8AM- 12 AM

Those who want to explore the museums, cinema or children's area should bear in mind that these have different opening times.

• January - February: 9 AM- 5 PM
• March: 9 AM- 5:30 PM
• April - June: 9:00 AM- 6:30 PM
• July - August: 9:00 AM- 7:30 PM
• September: 9 AM- 6:30 PM
• October: 9 AM- 5:30 PM
• November - December: 9 AM- 4:30 PM

Regardless of the time of year, the museum opens at 12 PM on Mondays, and temporary exhibitions open at 2 PM.  The last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.

When is the best time to visit Pont du Gard?

While Pont du Gard is open to visitors all year round, the best time to visit is during the spring or autumn months. At these times of the year, the weather is milder and there are fewer crowds. However, the summer months are the best time to take a jaunt to Pont du Gard if you wish to swim in the river.

Travel tips

• Bring a swimming costume if you wish to see the Roman aqueduct from a different perspective — by floating under it.
• If you're planning a trip to Pont du Gard on a Monday, remember to visit in the afternoon to ensure the museum is open.
• Bring your camera with you on your Pont du Gard excursion!
• Don't miss the Pont du Gard museum which shows life-sized virtual reconstructions of what the surrounding towns would have been like in ancient times.