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BICYCLE FRANCE |
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Pont Du Gard
The Pont du Gard is the most spectacular part of the aqueduct built by the Romans in the first century AD to bring fresh water to the city of Nîmes. Its construction took only a dozen years or so.. A utilities work, le Pont du Gard is also a work of prestige, intended to show the superiority of the Roman civilization, then at the pinnacle of its power and glory. Damaged during the barbarian invasions, the aqueduct ceased functioning for good in the 9th century. It was only used as a bridge for crossing the Gardon river. In 1743 it operated as a road bridge.. In the 19th century, the monument, worn by time and erosion, risked collapsing. Important work to consolidate and restore it was undertaken under the Second Empire. In 1999, the site was again worked on to accommodate the numerous visitors under the best conditions. The aqueduct harnessed the waters of the source of Eure, near Uzès. It snaked its way through the brush for nearly 50km, skirting the hills or passing through them by way of underground canals, crossing over valleys through overhead constructions. There are still remains of the aqueduct in the surrounding countryside. Marked footpaths around the Pont du Gard permit you to discover them. The difference in level between the two ends of the aqueduct is only 12 meters, making an average gradient of 24 cm/km or 0,24 mm/meter. These eloquent figures let us appreciate the technical prowess demonstrated by the Roman engineers. |
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