Pont de Pierre

Bridge in Bordeaux

The Pont de Pierre, translating to “Stone Bridge,” is a historic structure in Bordeaux that spans the Garonne River, linking the city’s left and right banks. Commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1810, its construction began in 1819 and concluded in 1822. The project faced significant challenges due to the river’s strong currents and tidal variations. Engineers Claude Deschamps and Jean-Baptiste Basilide Billaudel oversaw the construction, employing innovative techniques such as the use of a diving bell borrowed from the British to stabilize the bridge’s pillars.

The bridge measures 487 meters in length and 19 meters in width, comprising 17 arches. A popular legend suggests that the number of arches corresponds to the number of letters in “Napoléon Bonaparte,” though this appears to be coincidental. Each brick pile is adorned with a white medallion, originally intended to bear the cipher of King Louis XVIII. Initially, the bridge featured toll booths at its entrances, but these were removed in 1954 during widening works that expanded its width to accommodate increased traffic.

For nearly 150 years, the Pont de Pierre was the sole bridge connecting Bordeaux’s historic center to the La Bastide district on the right bank. In recent years, the bridge has been closed to private vehicular traffic to prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation, including the city’s tramway system. This shift reflects Bordeaux’s commitment to enhancing urban mobility and preserving its architectural heritage.

The Pont de Pierre appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Bordeaux!

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!