Nîmes, the Pont du Gard and its secrets
A cycling trip to discover the wonders of the Gard
© OT Nîmes
© Franck Barsk
© Patrick Gantz
© Lubos Houska
© Rudy et Peter Skitterians
© OT Nîmes - O.Maynard
Highlights
The Pont du Gard, masterpiece of the Roman Empire
Nîmes, ancient and Roman heritage
Short and accessible stages
The canoe ride in the Gardon gorges
The hilltop town of Uzès and its famous Provencal market
The gastronomy and easy living of the Gard
The story behind the trip
Our travel advisor, David, who has lived near Nîmes for more than 10 years, was keen to share his best addresses for accommodation and restaurants and to introduce you to the most beautiful sites and routes in his region. It is now a done deal this stay of multiple atmospheres, colors and scents.
The Gard by bike: exotic, ancient and sunny
Departing from Nîmes, this bike trip invites you to discover the historic riches and the beauty of the Gard landscapes under the Southern France sun
The Pont du Gard, a must-see site listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, retraces its history through this route. From its construction to its key role in transporting water to the city of Nîmes, this stay will reveal all the secrets of the famous ancient aqueduct bridge.
Nîmes is the city where your cycling trip in the Gard begins and ends. Its long history intimately linked to the Roman Empire shaped its architecture and city planning. The amphitheater, the Maison Carrée, the Castellum, or even the Jardins de la Fontaine are unmissable sites that take you back to the origins of what is known as the “French Rome”.
Along the way, you will also discover the charm of Provencal villages. The hilltop city of Uzès is elegant. You just have to wander for a few moments in its winding and colorful alleys to be aware of this. On its Provencal market, one of the most famous in the region, smell the scent of sunshine and taste the regional products. Fruits and vegetables, olive oil, tapenade, fougasse, wines, goat cheeses, sausages, honeys and of course Provence herbs, there is something for everyone.
The real star of the trip is the Pont du Gard. A bit like a lighthouse that guides boats in the storm, the Roman masterpiece will illuminate part of your bicycle adventure in the Gard. In the Vers quarry, you discover the stone deposits that allowed its construction almost 2000 years ago. Near Uzès, at the Eure spring, you find the source that supplied water to the city of Nîmes thanks to a prodigious aqueduct 50 kilometers long and whose keystone was the Pont du Gard.
Leaving from the charming village of Collias, a canoe ride in the Gardon gorges offers you a beautiful tête-à-tête with the highest aqueduct bridge in the Roman world. It is a fun and refreshing stroll in a sumptuous setting. Then on the way back to Nîmes, you cross the Gardon by crossing the Pont du Gard by bike this time. An opportunity to admire one last time and from another angle this majestic ancient masterpiece.
Consisting of 3 stages by bike, this exotic and sunny stay which combines nature, culture and gastronomy is waiting for you!
Leisure or 
Fit From NIMES to COLLIAS 29km 344m 
You leave Nîmes by a pretty road lined with garrigues scrubland, vegetation characteristic of the Mediterranean regions. From this limestone plateau, you overlook the Gardon gorges. A tributary of the Rhône, the Gardon rises a little further north, in the Cévennes mountains.
After this spectacular panorama, you cross the Saint-Nicolas bridge. You are now on the left bank of the Gardon to Collias. A small village on the banks of the Gardon, Collias exudes a fresh and untamed atmosphere.
In the afternoon, change of scenery. A canoe ride on the Gardon awaits you. Refreshing and fun, this pleasant 8 km stroll takes you to the Pont du Gard. The opportunity for a quick swim and a first tête-à-tête with the Roman masterpiece.
Canoe ride between Collias and Pont du Gard
After the morning stage, enjoy a canoe descent between Collias and Pont du Gard. It is an opportunity to contemplate the Pont du Gard for the first time but also a fun and refreshing activity in the magnificent setting of the Gardon gorges.
COLLIAS, BOUCLE D'UZES ET DE LA VALLEE DE L'EURE 27km 254m
You leave for a pleasant loop north of Collias. At the start of the stage, shortly after Saint Maximin, you enjoy a beautiful panorama over Uzès. Then the Eure valley welcomes you. In the 1st century, the Romans tapped the water in this valley to supply the city of Nîmes. The water was brought there by an aqueduct of about 50 kilometers (offering an inclination of 25cm per kilometer!) Which crossed the Gardon on the Pont du Gard.
On the way back, you will discover Uzès, a magnificent hilltop town dominating Uzège and famous for its Provencal market. Before leaving Uzès, a snack break at the Haribo museum is a must for those with a sweet tooth. You return to Collias by a small road winding between the vineyards.
In Collias, many outdoor activities are possible to complete your day if you wish: swimming, hiking over the Gorges or Via Ferrata for example.
- For a few more km 36km 343m
Before reaching Uzès, you will discover Saint-Quentin la Poterie. The pottery tradition of this elegant Provencal village dates back to the Middle Ages. Even today, artisan potters and ceramists perpetuate this ancestral know-how.
From COLLIAS to NIMES 44km 440m
After a few kilometers of cycling, you reach the quarry of Vers. Nearly 2000 years ago, it was in this stone quarry that the Romans drew from the rock to build the Pont du Gard. Nearby, the Pont du Gard allows you to cross the Gardon. From the bridge, make the most of the magnificent panorama by remembering the history of the place. Listed as a UNESCO Heritage site since 1985, the Pont du Gard is built on 3 levels. At a height of 48 meters, it is the highest known aqueduct bridge in the Roman world.
Then, a greenway guides you to the stone quarry of Sernhac. Many remains from the Roman era await you, notably the famous aqueduct tunnels. As a symbol, you finish the stage at the Castellum divisorium in Nîmes. In Roman times, this monument established the culmination of the aqueduct which carried water from the Eure spring to Nîmes.
NIMES
End of stay after breakfast.
Essential Range
You want to enjoy your itinerary without anything fancy. Our ”essential” range offers a simple accommodation for a good night’s rest in a simple hotel, guesthouse, rest house or hostel.
Starting from 495€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Comfort Range
Our quality standard at Abicyclette. This type of accommodation includes 2 and 3 stars hotels. Depending on the itinerary, you might spend some nights in approved guesthouses. You enjoy a double bedroom with private bathroom and toilet and adapted welcome for you and your bikes.
Starting from 600€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Privilege Range
Opt for total comfort in charming 3 and 4 star hotels which offer all the services you need and a special welcome for you and your bikes.
Starting from 1180€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Bed & Breakfast Range
Another way to travel, meeting the people of the lands you cycle through. They welcome you in their home and offer board and lodging*. It gives you the opportunity to chat and deepen your knowledge of the region. We have selected them for their charm and privacy.
*breakfast included, diners available according to establishments
Starting from 580€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Price includes
- Accommodation: 4 nights in a Double room
- 4 breakfasts
- Luggage transfer
- Phone assistance 24/7
- Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
- Application fee
- A personalized greeting with our team at the beginning of the trip to receive your travel documents
- Taxes
- The itinerary trackable on the following supports:
- Loan of a Bicycle GPS uploaded with full itinerary of the trip
- Cycling practical guide including restaurant recommendations for lunch & dinner with topo maps
- Jour 1 : Meeting with our guide in Provence
- Jour 2 : Canoe trip from Collias to Pont du Gard
Price does not include
- bike rental (see option)
- Breakfast on day 1
- Lunches
- Dinners not included in "Price includes"
- Drinks, visits & other personal expenses
Homemade and fully tested itineraries
- Routes selected for their cycling and touristic interest entirely tested and away from traffic
- Accomodations selected for their hospitality, atmosphere, services and quality meals
- A flexible organisation to suit you needs and wishes: You choose the date you want to you leave on! We check the availability of each accomodation to make sure it is possible.
Close assistance
- One of our guides greets you on your first day. He will hand out all the needed documents for the trip (hotel vouchers, maps of the area,GPS, practical guide), get you settled on your bikes (for rental bikes).
- Phone assistance, you can reach the Abicyclette team whenever you need
- A Luggage transfer service which respects your hours of rest (we pick them up after 10:00 and deliver them before 16:00)
Follow your itinerary anyway you like – modern, practical, traditional
- We loan you a GPS so that you can easily follow your itinerary without having to look for your way around (bike support included)
- A practical cycling guide with all the useful information (addresses, highlights for the day, topo maps, and touristic information)
You can also
- Rent a high end quality bike for real comfort, cycling pleasure and reliability a long trip requires.
- Suscribe to a Cancelation or Multi Risk insurance policy which cover you in case something unexpected comes up.
On our guided tours (for groups on demand), we accompany you every step of the way
- One of our state qualified instructor and professional cycling guide accompanies you every step of the way
- Full board (all meals covered unless asked otherwise)
- A picnic buffet set up for lunch with a wide choice of fresh and local produce
We offer a high-end bike rental service. Our bikes are suited for road and gravel road long-distance cycling. Fully equipped and highly reliable, they are faithful travel companions.
Hiking BikeSCOTT SUB SPORT 20 Reassuring and comfortable geometry. Shimano 27-speed Disc brakes Supplied equipment per bike
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EbikeEBIKE SCOTT SUB TOUR ERIDE All the pleasure of cycling without too much effort and accessible to all. Shimano Disc Br-MT200 brakes Bosch ActivePlus 500w motor Weight 25.60 kg Supplied equipment per bike
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Child bikeCHILDREN’S BIKE: 8 to 10 years old; 135-145cm Agile and handy bike and 100% safe for nice family rides Supplied equipment per bike
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Getting here
Departure city : NIMES
Coming by car
- at 6h from PARIS
- at 5h15 from BORDEAUX
- at 2h30 from LYON
Coming by train
- Nîmes train station - 3h from Paris
Coming by plane
- Nîmes airport
- Marseille Provence airport
- Montpellier airport
- Lyon Saint Exupéry airport
Arrival city : NIMES
Coming by car
- at 6h from PARIS
- at 5h15 from BORDEAUX
- at 2h30 from LYON
Coming by train
- Nîmes train station - 3h from Paris
Coming by plane
- Nîmes airport
- Marseille Provence airport
- Montpellier airport
- Lyon Saint Exupéry airport
* Abicyclette Voyages accompanies you on demand, including transportation solutions.
Recommended equipment
Bike
- Trekking or hybrid bike
- 21 to 30 speeds
- 26 or 28 inch (700) wheels
Clothing and equipment
- Helmet (included with the rental)
- Clothing suitable for cycling
- Warm jacket (eg fleece)
- Rain proof jacket
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- 1 pair of cycling shoes
- 1 small backpack or panniers
- 1 or 2 water flasks (included with the rental)
- 1 lock (included with the rental)
- Our reccomendation for optimal comfort:
- 1 pair of gloves
- 1 special pair of pants (shammy leather)
- 1 night see fluorescent vest
Bike maintenance
- Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
- Daily use kit: cloth, brake pads, oil
Other
- Suitcase for transporting personal effects in luggage transfers (limited to one per person when possible)
- Change of clothes for the evening
- Warm jacket for the evenings
- Set of toiletries
- Mobile phone and charger
Duration 5 days and 4 nights
Level Leisure ou Fit
Departure date From March 15th to November 15th
Destination Occitanie - Pyrenees
Provence
Themes Monuments & Castles
Fine wine & Dining
Electric bike trips
Weekend
See detailed prices
Personalized service 
NIMES
Welcome to Provence in the city of Nîmes, prefecture of Gard.
Take advantage of the end of the day to discover the city and its many wonders dating from the Roman Empire. Do not miss the must-sees of the city namely the arenas of Nîmes, the Maison Carrée and the Jardins de la Fontaine gardens.
Briefing Orientation
Before your first ride, we invite you to meet one of our guides, at your place of departure. A time of exchange, a privileged moment to give you our last practical tips, must-see places and experiences, to answer all your questions, take care of your bike fitting to begin your trip.