Pont de Bornègre, Stone deck arch bridge near Saint-Maximin, France
Pont de Bornègre is a stone bridge with three segmental arches spanning across a ravine with an intermittent stream. Two of the three arches lie buried under sediment, while the central arch remains exposed and accessible for viewing.
The bridge was built during Roman times as part of a 50-kilometer aqueduct system serving Nîmes. It functioned as a water channel crossing, helping to transport water across the landscape to the distant city for many centuries.
The bridge incorporates numbered stone blocks that demonstrate the precision of Roman construction methods and engineering expertise in ancient infrastructure.
The site is accessible by foot along local hiking trails, though the terrain is hilly and sometimes overgrown. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as the paths can be shaded yet hot in warmer months.
The bridge piers feature triangular shapes on the upstream side and rectangular reinforcements on the downstream side, designed to handle powerful flood events. This asymmetrical design reveals how Roman engineers thoughtfully managed water forces and adapted their structures accordingly.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
