Pont de Bonpas, Medieval bridge over Durance River in Avignon, France
The Pont de Bonpas crosses the Durance River for about 500 meters using twelve reinforced concrete arches. The structure connects the Vaucluse region to Bouches-du-Rhône and forms a modern transportation hub in this area.
An original stone bridge was built in 1189, but floods destroyed it completely in 1272. After that loss, various reconstructions followed, including a wooden version in 1812 and a suspension bridge in 1894, before the current concrete structure was built.
The bridge carries a name reflecting its historical role as a crossing point, and today it serves people traveling between regions as a routine part of daily transportation. It shows how essential this river passage has been for connecting communities across the Durance.
The crossing is easily accessible during the day and is used by vehicles of all types to traverse the region. Pedestrians can also use the bridge, though patience may be needed during peak traffic times.
Long before the first stone bridge, the location was served by a ferry system that transported people and goods across the water since the 12th century. This system shows how important this crossing was for trade and mobility over many centuries.
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