The Gard and its unique landscapes
From the Cévennes to the Mediterranean, the Gard is full of must-see sites, both natural and architectural, including Unesco World Heritage treasures: the famous Pont du Gard, the jewel in the department’s crown, as well as the Abbey of Saint-Gilles, the Causses and Cévennes, and the Gardon gorges
From the mountains to the garrigue, several places classified as “Grands Sites de France” can also be discovered, including the Navacelles cirque and the Camargue.
Marked by the Roman era, the Gard has some of the most beautiful ancient remains, mainly concentrated in the town of Nîmes, where you should not miss the arena, the Maison Carrée, the Tour Magne and the castellum.
On the Mediterranean coast, le Grau du Roi and Port-Camargue offer all the pleasures of seaside and water sports.
The Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct
Classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, the Pont du Gard is the masterpiece and best preserved part of a 50-kilometre Roman aqueduct.
Built in the 1st century to supply the Augustan capital with water, the ancient engineers constructed a succession of bridges and tunnels from the source of the Eure, near Uzès, to Nîmes.
With a length of 275 metres, a height of 49 metres and a total of about 50,000 tonnes of stone, the Pont du Gard is a record-breaker in its own right.
Today, the site is harmoniously arranged with a museum, exhibitions, films, children’s areas and a swimming area. It is one of the most visited monuments in France.
Abbaye of Saint-Gilles
A stopover on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, the abbey church of Saint Gilles is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The story goes that Abbot Gilles the hermit lived here after giving all his possessions to the poor.
His tomb attracted so many pilgrims that a whole town emerged.
Situated not far from Aigues-Mortes, at the gateway to the Camargue, this magnificent Romanesque abbey church has been severely damaged by centuries and conflicts.
Nevertheless, the Provençal Romanesque façade remains, decorated with delicate sculptures made by the best workshops of the time.
The crypt houses the sarcophagus of Saint Gilles and the famous Vis de Saint Gilles, a rare spiral staircase.
Villages to visit in the Gard
Among the must-see tourist attractions in the Gard are a number of authentic and picturesque villages in whose narrow streets it is pleasant to stroll. Several towns are classified as among the Most Beautiful Villages in France, such as the fortress of Aiguèze, the medieval village of Montclus, La Roque-sur-Cèze and Lussan.
Other villages of character are not to be missed, including the renaissance town of Barjac and the medieval town of Vézénobres. The cities of Art and History of Nîmes, Uzès and Beaucaire are also full of major tourist sites in the Gard, museums and remarkable monuments.
Discover the activities to do in the Gard
Tourism in the Gard has the particularity of offering a wide variety of activities and leisure activities.
The campsite in Le Vigan is located only 1h15 from the Mediterranean, its beaches and ports.
You can go on original outings, such as a visit to the Demoiselles cave or the Aigoual observatory, but also enjoy numerous outdoor activities : hiking in the Navacelles cirque, water sports in the Hérault gorges, horse riding in the Camargue, canoeing and canyoning around the Pont du Gard, or caving in the Bramabiau abyss.
For your shopping desires, head for the city centres of Nîmes or Montpellier.
