Pont du Diable

Saint-Jean-de-Fos, France

The Pont du Diable on the Hérault River is one of many bridges in France with this name (it means Devil's bridge). Constructed by Benedictine monks in the first half of the 11th century, it provided a link between the abbey at Aniane and the Gellone Abbey at Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. Though subsequently widened and raised several metres around 1770, it has retained its original shape. Vehicular traffic is now catered for by a newer bridge, from which splendid views may be had of the original bridge and an aqueduct that takes water to the vineyards of Saint-Jean-de-Fos.

The bridge has been listed by the French Ministry of Culture as a monument historique since 1935 and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the World Heritage Sites of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 11th century
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Emma Joan den Hartog (10 months ago)
What an amazing experience! We went in winter so we couldn’t swim or do any activities but I think in summer it is magical. The bridge offers beautiful views of the Hérault Gorges. I will be going back.
Sven L (14 months ago)
Very nice Place to relax at the river.
Richard S (14 months ago)
An excellent place to visit. Formal and patrolled swimming area as well as informal area. Plenty and fish and snakes to spot in the river. Loads of car parking and an excellent cafe/shop. We did not try the canoes to the gorge but prices seemed reasonable. Kids loved it.
Ariel TAIEB (17 months ago)
Absolutely stunning place and landscape. The wine is very peaceful with a lot of people enjoying the water and beaches. Some might even jump from the bridge. Don’t hesitate to go a bit further to find chill spots
Darius Wisniewski (2 years ago)
Nicely organised visiting attraction with a small beach where you can swim. It must be a great experience to see it in a rainy season but when the water level is low its just not spectacular. It is a fantastic example of great medieval engineering that is why I give 3 stars.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Abbey of Saint-Georges

Saint-Georges de Boscherville Abbey is a former Benedictine abbey. It was founded in about 1113 by Guillaume de Tancarville on the site of an earlier establishment of secular canons and settled by monks from the Abbey of Saint-Evroul. The abbey church made of Caumont stone was erected from 1113 to 1140. The Norman builders aimed to have very well-lit naves and they did this by means of tall, large windows, initially made possible by a wooden ceiling, which prevented uplift, although this was replaced by a Gothic vault in the 13th century. The chapter room was built after the abbey church and dates from the last quarter of the 12th century.

The arrival of the Maurist monks in 1659, after the disasters of the Wars of Religion, helped to get the abbey back on a firmer spiritual, architectural and economic footing. They erected a large monastic building one wing of which fitted tightly around the chapter house (which was otherwise left as it was).