Original purpose of the aqueduct

The Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct measuring 49 meters in height and 275 meters in length, was originally constructed to transport water, not to serve as a road. It was part of a larger system that brought water from the mountains to the city of Nîmes.

Modification for road use

In the 14th century, a passage for carts and animals was created at an intermediate level of the structure, accompanied by access ramps. The piers of the second level were cut more deeply on the western side, a modification that may have weakened the structure.

Impact of local commerce

This alteration is linked to the increased traffic from the Beaucaire fair, a major commercial event in the region. The fair likely contributed to the need for a road passage, despite the risk to the aqueduct’s stability.

Historical references to the bridge

The first mention of the bridge, referred to as "Pons de Gartio," dates back to 1295 in a document granting a toll by King Philip the Fair to the lord of Uzès. This indicates the bridge was already in use at that time, likely for passage rather than for its original function as an aqueduct.

Stone removal and repurposing

Around the 12th century, the first twelve arches of the third level were removed and used to build churches and other structures in the surrounding area, transforming the bridge into a quarry of ready-cut stones.

Restoration efforts

Restoration work was carried out between 1696 and 1702, overseen by architects Daviler and de Laurens, to repair the damage caused by the passage of carts and the excavation of the piers. According to an article on the Belgian website DH.be, the notches were partially filled in as early as 1702, suggesting that some damage remained visible.

Risks of restoration

A study by the Académie Pont du Gard notes that this act was done "at the risk of causing serious damage," and the structure could have collapsed. The concern highlights the delicate balance between preserving the aqueduct and making it functional for road use.

Construction of a new bridge

Between 1743 and 1747, a separate road bridge was built next to the aqueduct under the direction of engineer Henri Pitot, as the States of Languedoc sought to address the need for a safe crossing of the Gardon. The official Pont du Gard website states the construction period as 1743-1747.

Details of the new bridge

The Structurae database mentions 1743-1745 and notes the widening of lower arches. The official site does not detail what Pitot did to the Roman piers themselves, leaving some aspects of the construction unclear.

Current use and visitor interest

Today, visitors use the 18th-century bridge rather than the medieval road opened at the second level of the aqueduct. The history of the Pont du Gard reflects successive uses: aqueduct, quarry, toll road, and historical monument.

Legacy and points of interest

Each era took something from the structure before the next one attempted to repair it. The official website indicates that the notch in the western side pier is a point of interest for visitors, worth examining at the second level.