Le Pont de Beaugency - Beaugency, France
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member pmaupin
N 47° 46.600 E 001° 38.233
31T E 397905 N 5292377
[EN] The bridge, with a length of 460 meters, consists of 24 arches of different shape and constitution. [FR] Le pont, d'une longueur de 460 mètres, se compose de 24 arches de forme et constitution différentes.
Waymark Code: WMXYZK
Location: Centre-Val-de-Loire, France
Date Posted: 03/19/2018
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member fi67
Views: 6

Although its origins go back to the 11th century, it is in the middle of the 12th century that it is mentioned for the first time in the will of Simon II, Lord of Beaugency. A bridge was then a way of asserting the "power" of the city, stuck between the county of Blois on one side and the royal city of Orleans on the other.

At that time, it was probably a simple wooden bridge. Probably towards the 14th century, the stone replaced the wood, at least on the city side. Defensive works with towers and drawbridges were built there. It is not the same side Sologne, where the part called "small bridge" remains of wood and is therefore carried almost to each flood. This requires permanent reconstructions and "tinkering". On the city side, the stone bridge has less vicissitudes.

Around 1840, the marina arch was pierced to allow the "inexplosibles" to pass in safety. On the south side, it was not until the 20th century that the "small bridge" was consolidated durably thanks to reinforced concrete.

It suffered again during the Second World War, several arches having been destroyed in 1944 during the Allied bombing and a German mining at the time of the debacle. Rebuilt in 1946, it retains the aspect that is known to it today, which makes the happiness of painters and photographers.

Sources : The Bridge

Si ses origines remontent sans doute au XI e, c'est au milieu du XII e siècle qu'il est mentionné pour la première fois dans le testament de Simon II, seigneur de Beaugency. Un pont était alors une façon d'affirmer la « puissance » de la ville, coincée entre le comté de Blois d'un côté, et la cité royale d'Orléans de l'autre.

À cette époque, il s'agissait sans doute d'un simple pont de bois. Probablement vers le XIV e, la pierre a remplacé le bois, du moins côté ville. Des ouvrages défensifs avec tours et ponts-levis y ont été construits. Il n'en est pas de même côté Sologne, où la partie appelée « petit pont » reste en bois et est par conséquent emportée quasiment à chaque crue. Ce qui nécessite des reconstructions et « rafistolages » permanents. Côté ville, le pont en pierre connaît moins de vicissitudes.

Vers 1840, l'arche marinière est percée pour permettre aux « inexplosibles » de passer en toute sécurité. Côté sud, il faudra attendre le XX e pour que le « petit pont » soit durablement consolidé grâce au béton armé.

Il a souffert de nouveau durant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, plusieurs arches ayant été détruites en 1944 lors des bombardements alliés et d 'un minage allemand au moment de la débâcle. Reconstruit en 1946, il conserve l'aspect qu'on lui connaît aujourd'hui, qui fait le bonheur des peintres et photographes.

Sources : Le Pont

Length of bridge: 460 m

What type of traffic does this bridge support?: motor vehicles and pedestrians

What kind of gap does this bridge cross?:
the river "Loire"


Date constructed: around 17th century

Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: Yes

Name of road or trail the bridge services: Rue du Pont - RD 925

Location:
Beaugency


Height of bridge: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Please submit a photo(s) taken by you of your visit to the location (non-copyrighted photos only). GPS photos are also accepted with the location in the background, and old vacation photos are accepted. If you are not able to provide a photo, then please describe your visit or give a story about the visit. If the bridge location prevents you from taking a safe photograph, then please do not stop to take the photo. Safety is more important.
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