Pont Grand, Stone bridge between Tournon-sur-Rhône and Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, France
Pont Grand is a medieval stone bridge spanning the Doux River and connecting Tournon-sur-Rhône and Saint-Jean-de-Muzols. Its main arch is notably wide and supported by sturdy stone piers that reach deep into the riverbed.
After an earlier bridge collapsed in 1251, construction of this new structure began in 1371 in response to the urgent need for a reliable crossing. The project demanded decades of persistent effort before finally being completed in 1583.
The bridge served as the main crossing between communities for centuries and shaped how people moved goods and traveled between the regions. It remains a visible reminder of how these two banks were always meant to connect.
The bridge is freely accessible year-round and can be reached from Route du Grand Pont in Saint-Jean-de-Muzols. Parking is available nearby, and walking across provides good views of the river and surrounding landscape.
When finished, the main arch of this bridge was the widest in the world, displaying the remarkable skill of the stonemasons and builders from this region. This engineering feat had no equal in its time.
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