Pont du Gard

Monday 9th June 2014

Blog post by the mother

Out early this morning for the approx. 30 minute drive to the Pont du Gard.  The Pont du Gard is a UNESCO world heritage site and is the tallest aqueduct in the Roman world built over 2000 years ago.  It is 360m long, 50m high and built over 3 levels.  It is an incredibly impressive structure but even more impressive is that it helped to carry water from the spring at Uzes to the town of Nimes over 50km away.
When we arrived we visited the museum and kids space which gave everyone a great insight into the architecture of the aqueduct as well as the history of the area and what life was like in Roman times. Miss 7 particularly enjoyed playing in the Roman market place.

 Outside it was another glorious day with temperatures peaking in the mid 30's.  A great day to be outside - but preferably in the shade. Much like the Eiffel Tower the Pont du Gard got a big "Wow!" reaction from the kids.

 The walk to the top was well worth it for the view although you could not walk out along the old waterway.

 There were however some old tunnels to explore - wonderful and cool on such a hot day.

We headed down to the river to see the Pont from another perspective and joined the many others who were enjoying the opportunity to cool off in the river.

 Miss 9 got right out amongst it floating logs and sticks down the river.

 

 The others enjoyed a paddle and a quiet relax in the shade watching the dragonflies and fish.

 Miss 9 managed to find what is the tiniest frog we have ever seen.  Even the zoom on my little camera could not capture it's tiny perfection accurately.

 Visiting the Pont du Gard has definitely been a highlight so far.  Incredible the man power that it took to construct (limestone was bought down from the quarries 600m away) and that it has stood for so long.