Vaison-la-Romaine Roman Bridge, Roman bridge above Ouvèze River in Vaison-la-Romaine, France.
The Vaison-la-Romaine Roman Bridge is a stone structure crossing the Ouvèze River with a single arch spanning roughly 17 meters. Its design features the distinctive curved vault typical of Roman construction from that period.
Construction took place during the first century AD when Romans were establishing their presence in the region. Despite repeated flooding events that destroyed later structures built nearby, this ancient work proved resilient through the centuries.
The bridge represents how Romans built to last and connect communities across waterways for trade and travel. Visitors can see how this single structure shaped movement through the valley for nearly 2000 years.
The bridge is freely accessible and allows visitors to cross from the lower modern town to reach the medieval upper section. Walking across the ancient stone requires careful steps, particularly when wet, but the crossing takes just a few minutes.
The bridge features one of the few elliptical vaults found outside Italy, showcasing a rare construction technique from Roman times. This unusual design was technically demanding and reflects careful planning by Roman engineers.
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