Pont Saint-Michel

Pont Saint-Michel is a suspension bridge spanning the Garonne River in Toulouse, constructed with distinctive angled concrete supports. The 326-meter-long structure connects multiple neighborhoods and carries both tram lines and pedestrian traffic across the river daily.

An original bridge was built in 1844 and replaced in 1884 before receiving its current form in 1961 under French engineer Eugène Freyssinet. The latest version was designed to handle the city's growing traffic needs.

The bridge shapes Toulouse's skyline with its modern profile and serves as a central gathering point where pedestrians and tram passengers meet daily. This place shows how contemporary design becomes woven into city life and influences how people move through public space.

The bridge is easily accessible to pedestrians and is crossed daily by tram lines, making it a central transit point. The best time to cross is outside peak hours, when you can better appreciate the modern design and views across the Garonne.

The angled concrete pillars follow a special design principle called delta-leg that engineer Eugène Freyssinet pioneered in the 1950s. This system allowed bridges to be built thinner and more elegant while remaining extremely stable.

Location: Toulouse

Inception: 1961

Architects: Eugène Freyssinet

Official opening: February 12, 1961

Length: 326 m

Longest Span: 65.2 m

GPS coordinates: 43.59240,1.43858

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:48