Romans in Southern France

Had it not been for an encounter with a friendly Dutch guy in Carcassonne, then our route would have been a little different. He advised us (remember we have been advised well in the past) to go to Pont du Gard, then Orange, then Pont D 'Avignon. This route is what has then been followed. 

The Pont du Gard was a section of a 48.77km stretch of viaduct that served Nimes with water for the Roman colony. Over the near 50km of viaduct, the drop in altitude was just 14m or so. Something quite remarkable really. The Pont du Gard is really the cherry on top of the cake of this Roman project. A 3 tiered set of arches with a sealed top for the passing water. The highest aqueduct apparently for the Romans. It didn't look as high as the Segovia one at all to any of us, but is apparently 18m higher at around 48m above the passing river beneath. We did the usual photograph onslaught, played on the 'beach' and threw stones into the river.

Today, we went to the Roman Theatre in Orange. As places go, this one really has a certain appeal about it from both the outside and the inside. A living and working theatre still, but within Roman amphitheatre settings. It is one of few remaining with its stone wall backdrop to the stage. Some 30m+ high giving quite an imposing stage presence to the whole place. 

Apparently as well, the legacy of the Dutch Royal family lies in this French town. Sadly this was little explained in the town museum....more research needed.

And onwards to tomorrow. We are camped over the river (literally) from the Pont D'Avignon. We shall go and have a look at it tomorrow and also have a bit more of a rest day too. I think we are all bridged out at the minute. Equally so with the Romans. There is so much quality historical stuff in this southern area of France that when we are relaxing in the evening, we are realising what we are sometimes missing, but we can't do it all! Rome wasn't built in a day! 

Ed