Pont de la Gabarre, Major road bridge in Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
The Pont de la Gabarre is a road bridge that crosses the Rivière Salée, connecting Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre islands with six traffic lanes. This structure spans approximately 260 meters and forms one of two main crossings linking the two islands at this location.
An older floating system existed from 1806 before engineers from Eiffel's workshops built a single-lane metal bridge in 1929. The original structure was later expanded and modernized to handle increasing traffic needs between the islands.
The bridge takes its name from gabarre vessels that ferried horses and riders between the islands starting in 1765. This traditional transport method shaped how people moved across the water for generations before any fixed crossing existed.
The bridge is part of the main traffic route between the islands and carries heavy vehicle volume daily. Visitors should note that peak traffic occurs during morning and evening hours, so planning your crossing for quieter times will make the experience more comfortable.
The original 1929 Eiffel-era bridge section remains today as a separate pedestrian and cycling path. This historic metalwork offers a tangible view of early engineering work and shows how the original single-lane structure was adapted into modern transportation infrastructure.
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