Pont Saint-Laurent, Road bridge between Saint-Laurent-sur-Saône and Mâcon, France

Pont Saint-Laurent is a 215-metre stone road bridge over the Saône, linking Saint-Laurent-sur-Saône in the Ain with Mâcon in Saône-et-Loire. Its deck runs flat on five wide semicircular arches carried by thick stone piers, with a projecting band marking deck level along the spandrels. A metal lattice railing on a low stone curb and tall street lamps line the parapet; the light grey-beige masonry is streaked with weathering.

A stone bridge existed by 1077, when it is first mentioned in a text; it is the oldest bridge over the Saône. In 1221 Bishop Aymond had it fortified and placed under Saint Nicholas, patron of boatmen. In the second half of the 15th century six arches were added to shift the river toward the Bresse and reduce flooding in Mâcon, and in 1843 four arches were raised for navigation. It was classified as a monument historique on 6 July 1987.

The bridge is named after Saint Lawrence and was placed under the protection of Saint Nicholas, patron saint of boatmen, by Bishop Aymond in 1221. A statue of Saint Nicholas was added on the third pier on 8 June 1958. Until the 17th century, iron chains stretched between the arches forced boats to pass under a single arch to collect the "droit de chaînes" toll.

The bridge still carries road traffic between Mâcon and Saint-Laurent-sur-Saône, with pavements along the deck for pedestrians. Its sidewalks were rebuilt and the structure strengthened during a two-year renovation in 2017 and 2018. Look for the statue of Saint Nicholas added on the third pier in 1958.

On 8 June 1958 a statue of Saint Nicholas, patron saint of boatmen, was placed on the bridge's third pier. It recalls the iron chains once strung between the arches to force boats to pay the "droit de chaînes" toll.