The Worm Stone
From Vers-Pont-Du-Gard, follow the GR®63 (white and red markings) towards the Pont du Gard. Take the time to escape on the interpretation trail of the stone of Vers. A 4 km trail with signs explaining the stone of Vers, its exploitation and the tools used, its traditional use in the small local heritage, and of course the beauty of this limestone with blond and honey-coloured tones, made famous by the Pont du Gard.
The Aqueduct
Then go through "Fontaine de Misserand". The path then follows the remains of the Roman Aqueduct. Built around 50 AD, the aqueduct supplied Nîmes with running water for five centuries. In addition to the spectacular 49-metre-high Pont du Gard, the aqueduct had no less than 17 above-ground elements between Uzès and Nîmes. Nine of these remains are still visible today around the Pont du Gard. Cross the RD981 (be careful!) and continue opposite, always following the remains. When you reach "Pont Rupt" ("Broken Arch"), leave the GR®63 and follow the cycle track to the left to the foot of the Pont du Gard. Attention, on the site of the Pont du Gard, for the safety of all, the passage on the arranged slabs is done obligatorily with foot, thank you for agreeing to put foot with ground. After having wandered around this Great Site of France that is the Roman Aqueduct, stay on the left bank of the Gardon to take the GR®63 parallel to the cycle track.
Memory of Garrigues
Take a walk along this interpretation trail: starting from the left bank, 200 metres from the aqueduct bridge, this trail is an open-air walk in the heart of the garrigue, a very special Mediterranean landscape. On these arid and rocky lands, the garrigue is representative of an ecosystem specific to the Mediterranean regions. This vegetation, which flourishes in periods of extreme dryness, carries all the scents of the South so sought after by walkers: thyme, juniper, honeysuckle, holm oak and euphorbia. Irrevocably linked to the man who has left his mark, the garrigue exalts the cultivation of vines and olive trees, the dry stone walls and the capitelles. "Mémoire de Garrigues" winds its way through 15 hectares of farmland, highlighting the history of these Mediterranean landscapes shaped by Man over the last 2000 years. A loop which, over 1.4 km, reveals Mediterranean agriculture and its typical stone heritage; a lookout point and an orientation table will guide you around the site, and always, here and there, the broken Roman aqueduct, a historical anchor in this remarkable planted landscape.
Castillon-du-Gard
Cross the car park and then the RD981 (be careful!) to reach Castillon-du-Gard via "Font Grasse" and "La Carrière". At "Castillon - Château d'Eau", leave the GR®63 to reach "Le Passage du Jeu de Boules" and enjoy the view of the Pont du Gard in the scrubland. Indeed, located on a rocky spur, Castillon du Gard dominates the end of the Gorges du Gardon and offers a beautiful panorama on the Pont du Gard and the vineyards. Take the time to stroll through the cobbled streets of this medieval village, and admire the pretty ochre facades of the houses. Its old watchtower, the remains of its ramparts, the gargoyles of the 13th century or its two Romanesque chapels are beautiful invitations to contemplative stroll.
The capitelles
Continue towards Vers-Pont-du-Gard via the "Chemin de Larticoyse". 150 m after this crossroads, leave the RD192 to reach "Combe du Merle", and continue to Argilliers then Le Gourajean. You will not fail to observe the numerous capitelles which punctuate this puzzle of vines and scrubland. These dry-stone shelters were intended to shelter farmers and winegrowers from the elements and to serve as a place to store their tools or their production. At Le Gourajean, take the path on the left to reach La Costebele. Here you can make a return trip to the Observatoire des Carrières to discover the Vers Quarry, which was used to build the Pont du Gard. You will be back in Vers-Pont-du-Gard via the "Baume Crémeirol".
