Pont de pierre, Stone bridge in Bordeaux, France
Pont de Pierre connects both banks of the Garonne River across a span of 487 meters and stands 19 meters wide. The structure consists of 17 stone and brick arches arranged in a continuous formation that distributes weight evenly across the water.
Napoleon ordered construction in 1810 as the first bridge to cross the river at Bordeaux, intended to support military operations toward Spain. The project took additional years to complete and has remained a defining landmark ever since.
The bridge features 17 arches, a number matching the letters in Napoleon's name. Visitors notice medallions and the city emblem carved into the pillars, reflecting local pride in this structure.
Pedestrians, cyclists, and trams cross this bridge daily, linking both riverbanks for different types of traffic. Watch for trams and vehicles while walking to stay safe in the shared crossing space.
Engineers employed an innovative British diving bell technique to anchor the foundations against powerful river currents. This advanced method for the time allowed workers to build safely beneath the water's surface.
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