"To me travel is triple delight: anticipation, performance, and recollection". (Ilka Chase).
Some places have really unique heritage. The Gard is one of them. Make incredible memories while discovering its History.
The Pont du Gard is a jewel of Gardois heritage. It's one of the most impressive Roman constructions of the area. It was built by the Romans in the 1st Century of our era. About 1 thousand men worked on it and it was finished in only 5 years. The Pont du Gard is what is left of the aqueduct that used to carry water from Uzès to Nîmes. It is 50 meters long and has 3 levels.
On warm sunny days you can swim in the Gardon under the Pont, which was added to UNESCO world Heritage in1985.
To visit the site, you have to go to the Bégude of Vers-Pont-du-Gard, between Uzès and Rémoulins. Once there, you will find exhibitions, a fun area for children, an educational museum, a 1.4km outdoor trail called "Mémoires de Garrigue". Conferences, shows and festivals also take place on the site.
The Pont du Gard is open all year long (opening times vary according to seasons). It takes about 45 minutes by car to reach the Pont from Méjannes-le-Clap.
Tourist information office of Uzès Pont du Gard
Pont du Gard
The Arenas of Nimes
The Arenas are well known, both as a piece of extraordinarly well preserved Roman heritage and as a place for concerts and shows.
This Roman amphitheatre was built towards the end of the 1st Century, in the city of Nîmes. It is 133m long and 101m wide. The stones the arenas are made from come from the local quaries of Barutel and Roquemaillère. The amphitheatre, with its arched galleries and stone staircases is one of the best preserved in the world.
Concerts and shows sometimes take place on an extraordinary outdoor stage. The arenas also host sporting events and cultural festivities.
You can, of course, also visit the site in itself on days where no events are organised.
It takes about an hour's drive to reach Nîmes from Méjannes.
Tourist information office of Nîmes
Arenas
Photo by: Office de Tourisme O.maynard
The Pont d'Arc
This one of a kind geological curiosity has become the emblem of the Ardèche. Over millions of years, water dug a huge opening in a cliff, thus creating a 54 m high and 60 m wide natural bridge over the river Ardèche.
The Pont is, in fact, the starting point of the Gorges of the Ardèche.
Discover the beaches to either side of the Pont and go for a swim under the magnificent arch.
The many marked hiking trails in the surroundings will guide you to gorgeous viewpoints.
The Pont certainly inspired the prehistorical artists of the Chauvet-Pont d'Arc cave, which is part of UNESCO world heritage.
To reach the Pont d'Arc, leave from Vallon Pont d'Arc and drive down the Gorges of the Ardèche river for 5 km.
Tourist information office of Vallon Pont D'Arc
The Gorges of the Ardèche
By car, in a small boat, on a paddle or by foot, the beautiful Gorges of the Ardèche can be explored in many ways! The 30 km long deep and wild canyon is one of the most remarkable natural sites in France.
The Gorges are certified "Réserve Naturelle Nationale" (national nature reservation) since 1980, and are home to thousands of animals and plants.
The Gorges of the Ardèche
The Grotte de la Salamandre
If you are familiar with the area, you must have heard of the incredible Grotte de la Salamandre ! If not, here is a little description.
The cave was discovered in 1965 and opened to the public in 2013. Only 2 years later, it received the Gold medal of Tourism.
The cave is open for visits from March to October, and can be discovered in several different ways. The traditional visit is an hour-long family-friendly guided tour of the cave.
Those of you who like adventures will love the "Grand Rappel", a 50 m rappelling descent, and the "Coulisses", a 3 hours caving trail to discover the hidden nooks and crannies of the Salamandre.
People with limited mobility will enjoy the belvedere, from which they will be able to admire the entire cave.
The Grotte de la Salamandre is one huge otherworldy room. The sound and light installation adds some magic to the place, thus creating an enchanting atmosphere you aren't likely to forget.
Possibly, the most extraordinary thing to try at the cave is the "aeroplume". With this big helium baloon, you will float around the cave and then swim through the air with the help of long wooden fins.
Grotte de la Salamandre.
The Bambouseraie
Another place you absolutely can't miss is the Bambouseraie en Cévennes !
Go for a stroll in one of the most beautiful gardens in France and discover all sorts of different types of bamboos, as well as rare flowers, plants and trees.
Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this beautifully arranged garden, where time seems to have come to a halt. The change of scene is breathtaking. While wandering through the alleys, make fascinating discoveries: the Laotian Village, The Dragon Vale, the alley of Sequoias, the Bamboo Forest, the garden "des Bassins d'Eugène, the Labytrinth... The Bambouseraie organises a wide range of events that will please children and adults alike: musical events, discovery workshops, cultural activities. Guided visits and audio guides.
The bambouseraie en Cévennes is in Générargues in the Gard.
