Nîmes Off The Beaten Path

On September 23 and 24, Hans, Wim and I stayed at this charming little town of Saint-Gilles. We decided to get a hotel here, because of its central location. It is southeast of Nimes, west of Arles, south of Pont du Gard and Avignon and north of Montpellier and Marseille. It was a nice, quiet town and close to many of the places we wanted to visit. In this photo, Hans is standing in front of the Saint-Gilles Town Hall.

Did you know that the GARD ROMAN AQUADUCT is only the most spectacular and best preserved piece of engineering in a magnificent 50km (30 miles) aquaduct that crosses the River Gard, circumvents hills, goes underground and resurfaces again taking water from the source of the Eure River near Uzes to Roman Nimes.

The only remaining three-tier Roman Aquaduct in the world, the PONT DU GARD crosses the River Gard. The Roman architects and engineers who designed and built the aquaduct around 20 BC , created a technical as well as an artistic masterpiece.

Pont du Gard
This ancient roman viaduc is still standing after 2000+ years. Now the bridge exists about 300m long, 49m above of the river.
The hike is interesting, and you have to take a dive in the water upstream or downstream of the bridge.

Aigues-Mortes
The little town was founded by Louis IX in 1241. It is enclosed by crenellated and tower-strengthened walls 25 to 30 feet (8 to 9 m) high, which trace a rectangle roughly 1/2 by 1/4 mile (800 by 400 m). The medieval town plan remains intact.
This fortified city is beautiful.
Located West of the Camargue.

Around Nîmes, you've got LOT of wonderful place to see... Don't plan to come in Nîmes without visiting the surroundings !!! It's so beautiful...

Here a pic from a place called 'La Mer de rochers' (the rocks' sea), next to a small village named 'Sauve'. After half an hour of walking, you could see blue rocks all around you, mixed with the colours of green nature, it's incredible !