Walk to the Pont du Gard in Provence, France

Discover the wonders of the region surrounding the Pont du Gard on this relaxing walking holiday. Wind down in high-quality hotels offering some outstanding cuisine (two boast a well-deserved Michelin star). At the western fringe of Provence, the limestone hills north of the Camargue conceal small stone villages and the ancient duchy of Uzès. Cutting a deep, wooded gorge through the scented hills, the River Gardon slips between the arches of the mighty Pont du Gard, one of the region’s Roman masterpieces. The Pont du Gard is part of the 50-kilometre-long aqueduct which in Roman times carried water from the source of the River Eure, near Uzès, to Nîmes. It has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Necessary to carry the aqueduct across the River Gardon, the bridge was built by the son-in-law of Emperor Augustus and is 273 metres long and 48 metres high, with 3 tiers of arches. The aqueduct took over a century to build, and was finally completed in the first part of the 1st century AD.

You will explore the beautiful landscapes by walking through gently rolling hills coated in kermes and holm oaks and other small shrubs, and sleepy hamlets. The first part of the walk leads through woodland alongside the River Alzon, then joins a botanical trail that ascends to the top of the ridge. From here, you can stroll through vineyards, orchards and woodland to pick up a path through expanses of rosemary and thyme along the top of the Gardon Gorge.

Accommodation:

Hotel du Général d’Entraigues, Uzès A comfortable, well-equipped and atmospheric hotel converted from a 15th-century aristocrat’s house complete with stone-flagged floors and vaulted ceilings. With a lounge, outdoor pool and panoramic roof-top terrace offering views of the town's many towers, there is plenty of space to relax.  The hotel is located opposite the cathedral.

Hostellerie le Castellas, Collias A high-quality, beautifully appointed hotel where you will find a genuinely warm welcome and Michelin-starred cuisine (with a superb wine list to match). Each bedroom is individually decorated, with great attention to detail. There is a small outdoor pool.

Le Vieux Castillon, Castillon-du-Gard This is undoubtedly the most beautiful hotel that we have ever discovered in southern France. Converted from several medieval houses, the hotel exudes character. The service is attentive, the bedrooms are exquisite, and there is a lovely terrace and outdoor pool, but the real highlight is the cuisine, well deserving of its Michelin star.

Traveller Reviews of This Trip

Inntravel gave us a beautifully arranged holiday from the beginning at Ebbsfleet to our return home -with the most wonderful food each evening to end each perfect day. Thank you! We will return... Mr J Maynard, Lingfield, Surrey, 01/10/2011

The highlight would have to be the food at the Hostellerie le Castellas!! Also the delightful town of Uzès, and the beautiful Hostellerie Le Vieux de Castillon! This was our 10th Inntravel holiday, so you must be good!! Mrs JA Billen, Weybridge, Surrey, 21/09/2011

We enjoyed getting so off the beaten track into some wonderful scenery and discovering some lovely hotels and villages along the way. Mrs E Lowe, Cumbria, 28/04/2011

A really enjoyable holiday with fantastic and memorable food in lovely hotels. The walking was easier than we would usually choose but it was as we expected and very enjoyable. Mr K Walsh, Bishop's Stortford, Herts, 07/06/2010

For more reviews of this trip, see: Reviews of Walk to the Pont du Gard in Provence