Trafton’s European Tour 2022/2023

Join us as we travel across Europe at a leisurely pace.

12/21/22 Pont du Gard / Nimes France

Bonjour from beautiful and much warmer Uzes, France.

Uzes holiday decorations.
Hoping everyone is healthy and ready for the holidays. We’ve been busy here in the south of France doing a few short day trips and enjoying the warmer weather (it’s 60 today).

First stop, the world famous Pont du Gard water viaduct just down the road a few kms.

Built by the Romans around the birth of Christ, the viaduct is an engineering masterpiece.
The purpose of Pont du Gard was to supply water to Nimes, the city they call the French Rome.
Over the centuries it fell into disrepair, as the water here is very hard and limestone filled the viaduct.
Napoleon commissioned the work to renovate the viaduct and added a road to it. It served as an auto bridge until 50 years ago. The Tour de France has ridden across it.
Emperor Antonines Pius, Nimes France

As we said earlier, Nimes is referred to as the French Rome. The Romans loved Nimes and made it the capital of their French empire.

Roman architecture dominates the city.

La Maison Carre ancient Roman temple, completely preserved.

Ok, before anything else, Les Halles de Nimes, the central market of Nimes. Beautiful market and man it’s packed for the holidays.
You know your in France, look at those ducks and goose’s 😳
Did you know where French fries come from? France!
The Atlantic salmon ladies.
Fresh
Seafood and shellfish
Charcuterie plates 😎
Specialty foods, Foie Gras anyone🤔
The French love the good life.
Fantastic market, fresh, clean and ready for the holidays

Ok, let’s walk.

Quai de La Fontaine
Jardins de La Fontaine
Park built at the turn of the 18th century with statues from Montpellier

This was the location of the ancient Roman baths, that the Pont du Gard provided water for.

Temple of Diana, built by the Romans.
It’s amazing isn’t it, that the Romans were building viaducts, Roman baths and temples when the rest of the world was living in caves.
Beautiful city.
Fantastic architecture.
It’s the holiday season, shoppers are packing the streets.
Ok, last stop, Arenes de Nimes. The coliseum of Nimes.
Still in use as a bullring and concert venue.
Built shortly after the coliseum in Rome 70 AD.
It’s still under renovation, which probably will never stop.
Last stop, Eglise Saint Paul, Nimes main cathedral.
Beauty everywhere.

Bonjour from Uzes, Joyeux Noel!

mtrafton55

9 responses to “12/21/22 Pont du Gard / Nimes France”

  1. MICHAEL MOHER Avatar
    MICHAEL MOHER

    Great pics and commentary….I could visit here👍

    Like

    Reply
    1. mtrafton55 Avatar
      mtrafton55

      ✔️🍷👍😎

      Like

      Reply
  2. Veronica A Avatar
    Veronica A

    This was a jawdropper! Thank you so much! Good pics. Feel like I was there!

    Like

    Reply
    1. mtrafton55 Avatar
      mtrafton55

      Your here in spirit 👍

      Like

      Reply
  3. Deborah Robbins Avatar
    Deborah Robbins

    Beautiful pictures ! Thanks for sharing.

    Gary and I want to wish you and Cindy a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year’s! Love yall

    Like

    Reply
    1. mtrafton55 Avatar
      mtrafton55

      Thanks, hope to see ya soon✔️😎

      Like

      Reply
  4. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    One of your best as all are excellent- this had some great pics of the architecture (as others do as well) and the many food off that are amazing- the Atlantic salmon and ladies was great as well!

    Like

    Reply
  5. David Avatar
    David

    Thanks again , very impressed with the food selection and presentation. Romans may have designed these buildings and structures but I bet slaves did all the work.
    Still so impressive they have withstood the passage of time

    Like

    Reply
  6. nate.michelle.lowry@gmail.com Avatar
    nate.michelle.lowry@gmail.com

    Wow!!! That church is breathtaking!! Merry Christmas to you all.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started