Pont de la Vallée, Clisson, bridge in France
The Pont de la Vallée is a stone bridge in Clisson with six arches of varying sizes spanning the Sèvre Nantaise river. The widest arch stretches over 10 meters (33 feet), while narrower ones measure around 4 meters (13 feet), supported by thick piles with pointed fronts that help manage water flow and protect against erosion.
The bridge was built in the 15th century to connect the neighborhoods of Trinité and Saint-Antoine with Clisson's fortified old town. Originally it featured a drawbridge and wooden walkways for defense, which were replaced with stone vaults in the 19th century, and it was officially protected as a historic monument in 1922.
The bridge has long served as a vital connection between different neighborhoods in Clisson, reflecting how the town organized its daily life and trade across the river. Its defensive features show how medieval communities designed structures that could protect them when needed, making it both a practical passage and a symbol of local independence.
The bridge is walkable on foot and continues to serve as a passage for pedestrians and vehicles across the river. Visitors should be aware of the five defensive towers called eperons positioned along the span, which provide interesting viewing points while crossing.
A blessed religious cross was placed on the third tower in 1891, having been previously displayed near the local church on Notre-Dame square. On the second tower, old marks indicate the boundary between two parishes, highlighting how the bridge served as a dividing line between communities.
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