Pont des Barris, Stone bridge in Périgueux, France

Pont des Barris is a masonry bridge over the Isle with three arches resting on two piers, each protected by rounded cutwaters. A low solid parapet runs along the flat roadway, which carries vehicles and pedestrians. The light stone blocks form the curved archways and straight piers visible above the water.

Built from 1860 to 1861 by the Coquelet brothers, this bridge replaced a medieval crossing that had existed since the 12th century. A major expansion in 1963 increased its capacity to handle modern traffic demands.

This bridge marks the division between the Barris neighborhood and downtown Périgueux, where residents regularly cross to access shops, work, and other parts of the city. Over time it has become a recognized point of reference that helps people orient themselves within the urban layout.

The bridge is easily accessible in central Périgueux and simple to locate if you head toward the Barris neighborhood or follow the river. Crossing on foot or by car takes just minutes, making it practical for moving between different sides of the city.

In the Middle Ages three of Périgueux's thirty town towers stood on and at the ends of the Tournepiche bridge: the Mosnier tower on the town side, the Mitan du Pont tower on the bridge itself, and the Notre-Dame du Pont tower on the Barris side, crowned by a chapel. The towers were covered over in 1660 and one was rebuilt in 1681.