Pont National, Swing bridge in Brest, France
Pont National is a swing bridge spanning about 104 meters across the Penfeld River. It connects the city center to the Recouvrance neighborhood using a steel and masonry structure.
The bridge opened in 1861 and operated until its destruction in 1944 during World War II. It represented 19th-century engineering innovation for connecting port cities.
The bridge links two distinct city quarters and is now recognized as industrial heritage worth preserving. Visitors can observe how transportation infrastructure shaped Brest's role as a working maritime center.
The location is easy to reach on foot and offers good viewing points along the riverside. Visiting in the morning allows you to see the structure's details in better light.
The structure could rotate its roadway 90 degrees to allow large warships like the French cruiser Duguay-Trouin to pass through. This rotating function was an engineering achievement that enabled many vessels to access the inner harbor.
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