Pont Cessart

Pont Cessart is a stone bridge spanning the Loire River in Saumur with twelve lowered arches, each spanning about 20 meters and supported by eleven pillars. The structure, measuring about 277 meters long, features two vehicle lanes, separated bicycle paths, and sidewalks with stone borders on both sides.

Engineer Louis-Alexandre de Cessart built the bridge in 1770, implementing innovative submerged caisson foundation techniques for the first time in France. This construction method allowed for more stable foundations in the unstable riverbed and advanced the development of modern bridge engineering.

The bridge serves as a central connection point in Saumur, offering views of the Loire River and the medieval castle that rises above the city. It has become a natural place where locals and visitors cross while taking in the river landscape.

The bridge is easy to walk across with wide, flat sidewalks and clear orientation on the level surface. Cyclists get separate paths, making the crossing comfortable for all types of travelers.

This bridge stands out for its completely level roadway design, which differs from earlier bridge models that incorporated central inclines into their structure. This flat design was a technical innovation at the time of its construction and was later adopted in many modern bridges.