Pont de Tounis, 16th century brick bridge in Toulouse, France
Pont de Tounis is a bridge featuring three rounded arches supported by two pillars with protective spurs. It once spanned the Garonnette River and continues to connect the former Tounis island to central Toulouse.
Built between 1515 and 1528 at the request of local magistrates, this bridge replaced earlier wooden structures repeatedly destroyed by floods. The stone construction marked an important advance in stability and durability for the transport connection.
The bridge displays traditional Toulouse building methods with its characteristic pink brick, later covered with light coating to mimic stone. This construction technique was typical for the region and influenced the appearance of many other buildings throughout the city.
The bridge is easily reached via Rue Valade and Rue Tounis near Rue de Metz in central Toulouse. Visitors should note the location where one arch is completely hidden between modern buildings, which makes the structure harder to fully appreciate.
After the Garonnette River was converted into an avenue in 1954, the channel was filled and the arches lost one-third of their original height. Today the bridge appears from above like an ordinary pavement roof, while its true scale is only visible from certain angles beneath street level.
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