Pont de Rei, International bridge at France-Spain border, Bausen.
Pont de Rei is a stone bridge that spans the Garonne River, connecting the Aran Valley in Spain with the Haute-Garonne department in France. The crossing can be accessed via Route N125 from the French side at Fos and Route N-230 from the Spanish side at Bausen.
In 1515, Spanish and French representatives signed an agreement at this crossing to ensure free passage between the valleys. This early accord shows how long this spot has served as a key meeting point for managing movement and trade between the two regions.
The bridge carries different names across languages, reflecting the mixed populations on both sides: Pont del Rei in Catalan, Puente del Rey in Spanish, and Pont du Roi in French. This linguistic variety shows how communities on each side maintain their own identity while sharing the same crossing point.
The bridge is accessible by car or on foot and sits directly on the road route connecting the two countries. Be aware this is an international border crossing, so bring proper identification documents if you plan to cross.
During World War II, this crossing became an escape route for refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied France into Spain. This hidden chapter in its past gives the bridge a deeper significance beyond its role as a simple border crossing.
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