NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION This aqueduct is on the western side of the city of Montpellier in the south of France DIMENSIONS Length: 2,624 ft (800 m); height: 82 ft (25 m)
CONSTRUCTED 1754–76
DAYTIME TEMPERATURES
Jan: 48°F (9°C); Apr: 59°F (15°C); Jul: 77°F (25°C); Oct: 63°F (17°C)
The view of the St-Clément Aqueduct from the Château d’Eau is one of the most spectacular in France. Stretching far into the distance against the dramatic backdrop of the mountains of the Massif Central , this aqueduct was modeled on Pont du Gard by engineer Henri Pitot de Launay.
It no longer brings water to the city, but the aqueduct is still in use, with a chic neighborhood, Les Arceaux, beneath its arches. As well as a food market, several boutiques have sprung up alongside, and table-tennis tables and pétanque courts now take advantage of the shade.
Practical Information
Getting There and Around Montpellier has an international airport and is easily reached by TGV. To get to the aqueduct, head west to the flower- lined Promenade de Peyrou, which ends abruptly at the Château d’Eau.
When to Go Early spring is a great time to visit, as is October, when most of the tourists have left.