THE PONT DU GARD
THE PONT DU GARD
STAGE 17
200 km - 24 JULY 2019
“Film and music on the Pont du Gard”

Erected by the Romans to supply drinking water to Nimes, some 30km away, the Pont du Gard is the most grandiose section of the viaduct. In 2000, the site was fully renovated and is now home to a cinema, museum, and exhibition space.
Around the monument, landscaped trails through the garrigue enable visitors to admire the site’s varied flora, which includes white oak, juniper, and olive trees, natural heritage that has remained unspoilt for centuries.

DINNER IS SERVED!

Lunch on the lawn!

In Paris, summertime means coffee out on the terrace. But in Provence, we head out into the garden for lunch! You can book a table on the hanging terraces of Platane in Saint-Saturnin-les-Apt, at Fanette in the Var, shaded by the parasols of Coquillade, or at the Passarelle in Marseille.

GO CULTURAL

150 years of lyrical art in Orange

To celebrate its 150th anniversary, this year’s International Festival of Lyrical Art in Orange features Placido Domingo, and shows will include Profokiev’s Romeo and Juliette, Mahler’s 8th Symphony, and Mozart’s Don Giovanni.
It is a historic event not to be missed, just a 45 minute drive from Nimes.

GET ACTIVE

Welcome to hell!

45km from Nimes, the Baux-de-Provence is home to an incredibly rich architectural heritage. But for a more original outing, try a hike through the Val d’Enfer. At the foot of the Alpilles, the 6km trail winds through breathtaking limestone landscapes, evoking Dante’s vision of hell.

TOUR TRIVIA

A major first for the Pont du Gard!

In 2019, the Tour will set off from the Pont du Gard for the very first time. However, the famous bridge has served as a backdrop for the peloton on various stages that have crossed the region, like Marseille-Alès in 1957, Millau-Avignon in 1960 and 1987, and Miramas-Montpellier in 2005.

EXPERIENCE

A festival in a convent? That’d be Cooksound!

Every year, the Cordeliers de Forcalquier convent plays host to the Cooksound festival, a unique event combining film, music, and food. For the “cook”, there’s snacks made using seasonal, organic, local produce. And for the “sound”, there’s funk, groove, and soul.