Pont des Marchands, Roman stone bridge in Narbonne, France.
Pont des Marchands is an ancient stone bridge that crosses the Canal de la Robine while supporting residential buildings and shops along its length. One surviving arch, approximately 15 meters (49 feet) wide and tall, carries the weight of structures built directly onto the stone crossing.
Built in the 1st century, this bridge was part of the Via Domitia, Rome's main road connecting Italy and Spain through Gaul. The route remained important for trade and military movement long after Rome's influence changed the region.
Buildings and shops sit directly on the bridge structure, creating a lived-in streetscape that blends commerce with architecture. You can walk past windows and doorways that open directly onto the crossing.
The bridge sits in central Narbonne and is freely accessible to pedestrians at any time, making it easy to cross between the medieval quarters and Roman zones. The walkway is narrow as it passes through buildings, so move slowly and be aware of shop doorways and street activity.
This is one of Europe's few remaining inhabited bridges, where residences have stood directly on the Roman structure for centuries. The way buildings share space with the span shows how residents continuously adapted the ancient crossing for their everyday needs.
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