The Pont du Gard

The Pont du Gard is a remarkably well-preserved Roman viaduct bridge crossing the river Gardon in the (guess what😀) Gard department. It was built to carry water from springs near Uzes to the colony of Nimes and was also a toll bridge. The road bridge on the lower section was added in the 18th century.

Keith and I had visited the bridge before, but we were more than happy to revisit so that my brother could see it. Our campsite was close by so we avoided having to pay for the car park! Here we are standing on the 18th century road bridge.

The top two tiers - the water was carried on the top level.

The river is a popular spot for swimming, canoeing and picnicking.

Below is an example of 19th century graffitti, though I can't make any sense of the third line other than the year. 

Looking back from the other side of the river, and showing the Roman side (i.e. not the 18thC road bridge side).

There were quite a number of Alpine Swifts nesting in the rock of the bridge which was a surprise - I would have expected to see them nesting up in the mountains whereas we were on quite flat land. Alpine Swifts are larger than common Swifts and have lovely white markings on their undersides, although like common Swifts they are migratory and overwinter in Africa, and feed and drink on the wing.

Photo Credit: K Allen

You can see the baby Swift in the nest as its wings are sticking out of the crack in the rock! Whether there are others in there as well, I don't know.

Photo Credit: K Allen

One more holiday post to go, then we'll be off on our next trip! I'm not going to do a great long write up of every place we visit though on the next holiday - we are away for three weeks so it would take far too long! 😀