On the banks of the Rhône, on the border between Languedoc and Provence, stands the magnificent city of Avignon, a UNESCO heritage site. Multicultural city, with an incredible past, discover the famous city of the popes. The Pont du Gard, the highest roman aqueduct bridge (48 metres above the river), 2000 years old, classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO
PROGRAMME
Once in Avignon, we will first pass in front of the famous 12th century St Benezet bridge which is the origin of a well-known traditional song. Then, we will cross the ramparts to enter the historic centre. Moreover, at the junction of its medieval streets and its romanesque cathedrale Notre Dame des Doms, we will have the pleasure of following the path of the Promenade des Papes, with magnificent panorama of the city and the region from the top of the Jardin des Doms. After a tour of the Palais des Papes, one of the ten most visited monuments in France, we will visit the interior of Europe‘s largest gothic palace built by the popes in the 14th century. Finally, we will discover the charming flamboyant gothic church of St Pierre.
Length of the bridge 300 meters for a total distance of 50 km. This aqueduct was used to supply water to the city of Nîmes, to supply the former thermal baths and fountains of the city, it took no less than 20 years and 1000 workers to complete this titanic work (50,000 tons of stone just for the part of the Pont de Gard), the spring located around the city of Uzès supplied 400 litres of water per second and passes 48 m above the river, which makes it the highest roman aqueduct ever built. With an average length of 20 cm per kilometre, the aqueduct was used until the 5th century, when the Roman Empire fell. In the Middle Ages it was used as a tollbooth. Come and discover this unique monument, visited by 1,5 million tourists every year. A walk in nature along the aqueduct to discover the fauna and flora of the scrubland, a mixture of aromatic plants, holm oaks and box trees. Swimming in the river is possible in summer.
