Gard

Gard
Information
Number	30
Region	Languedoc-Roussillon
Prefecture	Nîmes
Subprefectures	Alès Le Vigan
Population  - Total (1999)  - Density	Ranked 48th 623,125 106 /km²
Area	5,853 km²
Arrondissements	3
Cantons	46
Communes	353
President of the general council
Location

Gard is a département located in the south of France named after the river Gardon (or Gard).

History

The Gard area was settled by the Romans in classical times. It was crossed by the Via Domitia, which was constructed in 118 BC.

The department was one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was created from the fromer province of Languedoc.

Geography

Gard is part of the region of Languedoc-Roussillon and is surrounded by the departments of Hérault, Lozère, Aveyron, Bouches-du-Rhône, Vaucluse, and Ardeche.

The highest point in the department is the Mont Aigoual.

Serious flooding has occurred in the department in recent years.

Tourism

Gard contains a part of the Cévennes National Park.

There are important Roman architectural remains in Nîmes, as well as the Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct.

Images

Signpost welcoming travellers into the Gard, at Beaucaire.

Miscellaneous topics

Communes of the Gard département

External links

• Prefecture website (in French)
• Conseil Général website (in French)
• Map of the department