Pont du Diable, Historic bridge in Villemagne-l'Argentière, France
The Pont du Diable is an 18th-century stone masonry bridge in Villemagne-l'Argentière, a small town in the Occitanie region of southern France. It crosses the Mare river on two rounded arches, with the larger arch spanning the full width of the river.
The bridge was built in the 18th century to ease the transport of coal from nearby mines and support local industries such as the glassworks in Hérépian. It was listed as a protected historic monument in 1936.
The name "Pont du Diable" comes from an old local legend claiming the devil built the bridge in a single night. Visitors today still hear this story when they pass through the area, and it gives the crossing a memorable character that goes beyond its stones and arches.
The bridge sits along a walking trail that passes through the countryside around Villemagne-l'Argentière, making it easy to combine a visit with a walk along the Mare river. Signs posted along the path explain the history of the structure and help visitors find their way.
The roadway of the bridge slopes noticeably on the left side and becomes almost flat at the top of the arch, a design choice that likely made it easier to move heavy loads across. The central pier also features a triangular spur called an avant-bec, which deflects the water current and has helped keep the structure solid for centuries.
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