Roman Provence — Pont du Gard, Nîmes, Arles, Glanum

Your journey through Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur begins in Nîmes, in front of the Maison Carrée, a Roman temple built in the 1st century AD, classified as a Historic Monument since 1840. This masterpiece of ancient architecture, one of the best preserved in the world, offers a glimpse into Roman grandeur. From there, you reach the Tour Magne, a Roman tower from the 1st century AD, a major element of Nîmes' ancient fortifications, which offers a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings, and the famous Nîmes Arena, a Roman amphitheater also from the 1st century AD, classified as a Historic Monument in 1840.

The itinerary then takes you to the Pont du Gard, near Vers-Pont-du-Gard, a Roman aqueduct classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985. Built between 40 and 60 AD under the reigns of Claudius or Nero in just 5 years, this Roman engineering feat is 48.77 m high and 275 m long. It is composed of 21,000 m³ of limestone rocks extracted from the ancient Estel quarry, assembled by 800 to 1,000 workers. The Pont du Gard allowed the 50 km long Nîmes aqueduct to carry 30,000 to 40,000 m³ of water per day from Uzès to Nîmes with a gradient of 25 cm/km. Abandoned at the beginning of the 6th century, a road bridge was attached to it between 1743 and 1747 by the engineer Henri Pitot, whose chisel marks are still visible.

Your exploration of the heritage of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur continues with the archaeological site of Glanum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a major ancient Greco-Roman city. This site offers insight into the daily life and urban planning of antiquity, with its monuments and traces of habitation. Although the Nîmes aqueduct does not pass directly through Glanum, the presence of this city testifies to the density of Roman occupation in the region and the mastery of water, essential for these populations. Here you will discover remains that tell the story of an advanced civilization.

The route then leads you to Arles, where you will explore the Ancient Theater of Arles, built under the reign of Augustus in the 1st century AD, and the Cryptoporticus of Arles, Roman underground galleries from the 1st century AD serving as support for the ancient forum. These monuments, like the city's amphitheater and baths, highlight Arles' crucial role in Roman Narbonensis as a commercial and cultural crossroads. Visiting these sites provides insight into the urban organization and importance of public infrastructure for the Romans.

Finally, your thematic circuit will take you to the Pont-Saint-Nicolas Aqueduct, another element of the Roman hydraulic system that supplied Nîmes. This site, often less frequented, is further proof of Roman engineering and the complexity of the water supply network. By visiting these monuments, you will gain a deep understanding of the history of Nîmes and Roman Provence, an immersion in the daily lives of the builders and inhabitants of that era. This road trip leaves you with a new perspective on these remains, rooted in the landscape of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.