Roman Aquaduct near Barbegal, France East of Arles in the Provence Region
As we drove from Arles to Fontvieille on the way to Les Baux, we saw a sign that said simply "Aquaduct Romain." and pointed to the right. We drove a few kilometers down a winding one lane road and found this first century AD Roman aquaduct near Barbegal, France. While the Pont du Gard aquaduct near Nimes is one of the most visited tourist attractions in France, you can't get near it without paying and going through a museum that completely blocks the view (on both sides of the valley where the aquaduct is located. On the other hand, this aquaduct is located out in the middle of the country with no publicity and no signage describing history or anything. Subsequent research shows it was estimated to have been built about 100 AD to supply water for Arles. It also supplied water for one of the largest milling operations in France near Barbegal. On a hillside, the water poured water onto cascading waterwheels that ground flour. The one lane road is to the right of the arch and probably originally went under an arch when the Romans built it. That arch has been destroyed to allow taller vehicles to get through, but there is no indication when or why that occurred. This picture was taken facing South. The aquaduct runs from the East westward toward Arles.
Roman Aquaduct near Barbegal, France East of Arles in the Provence Region
As we drove from Arles to Fontvieille on the way to Les Baux, we saw a sign that said simply "Aquaduct Romain." and pointed to the right. We drove a few kilometers down a winding one lane road and found this first century AD Roman aquaduct near Barbegal, France. While the Pont du Gard aquaduct near Nimes is one of the most visited tourist attractions in France, you can't get near it without paying and going through a museum that completely blocks the view (on both sides of the valley where the aquaduct is located. On the other hand, this aquaduct is located out in the middle of the country with no publicity and no signage describing history or anything. Subsequent research shows it was estimated to have been built about 100 AD to supply water for Arles. It also supplied water for one of the largest milling operations in France near Barbegal. On a hillside, the water poured water onto cascading waterwheels that ground flour. The one lane road is to the right of the arch and probably originally went under an arch when the Romans built it. That arch has been destroyed to allow taller vehicles to get through, but there is no indication when or why that occurred. This picture was taken facing South. The aquaduct runs from the East westward toward Arles.