Fun with Fairies at the Pont du Gard

The 2,000-year-old aqueduct called the Pont du Gard is one of the most magnificent sites in Provence; I never get tired of gazing at it, tromping around on it, photographing it. (I've yet to kayak the Gard River underneath it but hope to soon.) So I can only imagine how breathtaking my favorite Roman relic will be when she’s all lit up with video, light, flame and fireworks in a new evening sound-and-light show called Les Feéries du Pont (Fairies of the Bridge). The show will be presented six times, on Friday and Saturday evenings in June. The dates are June 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18. Showtime is 10:30 p.m.

If you’re thinking this will be like your kids running around the backyard with sparklers, think again: Les Feéries du Pont was created by Groupe F, the internationally acclaimed pyrotechnic group known for shows at the Eiffel Tower, Versailles and the Olympics. If you want a smile, have a look at their website; their work is over-the-top wonderful.

Tickets range from €16.80 per person (ages 6 to 17) to €19.80 for adults. Children under six are free and group rates are available. If you have an annual pass to the Pont du Gard, you get a discount. My friends at the Pont du Gard asked me to tell you to arrive early as there are some "animations" before the main event, probably starting around 7 p.m. Food is sold on site (tapas, pizza, paella, fruit, ice cream, etc.) or you can bring a picnic in with you. There's also a restaurant called Les Terrasses that serves Mediterranean food and you can reserve there by calling 04 66 37 50 88. The gates to the Pont du Gard park close at 9:30 so make sure you're in by then.  Bring cushions, chairs and blankets or you'll be sitting on the ground.

Buy your tickets in the usual large retailers such as Fnac, Virgin and Carrefour. Or you can buy them online here. You can also buy them in person at the Pont du Gard during normal hours. For historical info on the Pont du Gard, click here. For info on the Feeries show or on visiting Pont du Gard at other times, click here. For info on Groupe F, click here. Here's a number you can call to get info and yes, they speak English: 04 66 37 50 99. 


PS: My fellow blogger Gabrielle has kindly written to tell me that the same amazing pyrotechnics people who are organising this program at the Pont du Gard are also involved with three other events in the Bouches du Rhône in July: in Martigues on July 2 & July 14 and in Arles on July 14 as well. I'm trying to get more info and will post it when I do! Or if you have it, please post it by clicking COMMENTS below. Thanks!


PSS: Groupe F just wrote to tell me that there will also still more shows in Provence:
*July 13: Salins de Giraud and La Couronne
*August 5: Domaine de la Palissade
*August 20: Port St. Louis du Rhone
I'll post more info when they send it.