Your private historical tour of Provence begins with morning or afternoon pickup by minivan from your Avignon hotel. Over the course of four hours, follow in the footsteps of the Romans, viewing some of the world’s best preserved Roman ruins and hearing stories and mysteries of the ancient empire.
Arrive first at the UNESCO-listed Pont du Gard, a massive aqueduct on the Eure River. Considered an ancient work of art, this three-tiered construction is the highest of all elevated Roman aqueducts at 160 feet (49 m) tall. View the perfectly preserved masterpiece of ancient engineering and the rushing Gardon River below. Learn how the structure was built and how it delivered water to the nearby city of Nîmes – which is your next stop!
Take a short ride to the Roman city of Nîmes, home to some of France's best-preserved ancient monuments. Lose yourself in story as your guide explains the city’s main relics – some from 4th century BC! See Maison Carrée, a temple built in 16BC by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa to honor Emperor Augustus’ two heirs. Hear how the temple has been used over the centuries, and how that has contributed to its near perfect preservation. Explore the Arènes de Nîmes (Nîmes Arena), a formidable Roman amphitheater built in the 1st century, and the Tour Magne (Magne Tower), standing at the highest point of the city. Learn about the tower’s original function as a strategic stronghold and its (relatively) modern role in the Hundred Years’ War. From this lofty vantage point, see Nîmes as a Roman sentry would have thousands of years ago!.
After your insightful tour, relax for the short ride back to your hotel in Avignon.
