Hello my friends, this is Franck from Toulouse Blog.
Today I will tell you about the oldest bridge in Toulouse that can be described as pharaonic : the " Pont Neuf " .
This construction :
It was François 1er in 1541, who authorized the capitouls, the local administrators at the time, to initiate the construction of this bridge.
He ordered that it be made of stone and local bricks. A brick factory was specially built for its construction.
The Pont Neuf truly is a colossal structure, measuring 230 meters legth.
Its construction due to financial reasons, took place from 1544 to 1632 , and it has remained intact for over four centuries.
It is one of the few medieval bridges still present in France.
Louis XIV personality inaugurated the " Pont Neuf " in Toulouse.
In the 16th century, a defensive tower with a tiled rool was created on the " Pont Neuf " , along with the addition of six shops for commercial activities.
The " Pont Neuf " and the floods of the Garonne :
It resisted all the floods, including the one in 1875, which destroyed all the brigdes in the city except for the " Pont Neuf " .
Indeed the " Pont Neuf " survived thanks to the presence of special drainage channels, called " degueloirs " , which were designed to allow the passage of the floodwaters during the violent flooding of the Garonne.
On the last photo, you can see a red resin sculpture by " James Colomina ", the toulouser artist, who creates his sculptures. She is observing the Garonne river.
You can find the post about, " James Colomina " in the Toulouse blog.
The old bridge : " le Pont Vieux " :
The " Pont Vieux " is the prdecessor of the " Pont Neuf " in Toulouse.
It was ordered to be built by count Alphonse-Jourdain in 1130.
On the side of the " Hotel-Dieu ", one can notice an arch from the 15th century whose origins date back to the roman era. Indded, it is a remnant of the " Vieux Pont " .
Below, two pillar and two opening were used for boats to deliver supplies to the hospital.
In the 12th century, the " Vieux Pont " was indeed a place where punishments were carried out. Al the convicts were locked in a cage and repeatedly plunged into the Garonne.
Wenn François 1er decided to construct the " Pont Neuf " , it was its death warrant.
It was demolished in 1639.
The " Pont Neuf " by night :
The "Pont Neuf " is illuminated by an ecological LED lighting system of a very white color.
This is allows highlighting the main architectural features on the structure.
At night, the " Pont Neuf " is : magical !!! .
BONUS PHOTOS :
BONUS VIDEO :
My friends , it is all for today.
I am proud to have published this post that traces the history of an architectural emblem and a must-visit place in our city.
I wish you a beautiful and peaceful day.
Welcome in Toulouse.
The Blog from Toulouse.
Greetings Franck.
Hi Franck great write up, I am an English man and have been visiting Toulouse with work for 35 years and have loved watching the city grow. I work for a large French aerospace company (Not Airbus) I was here earlier in the year the square looking over Pont Neuf is popular with students and people wanting to chill besides the river in the evenings. A fantastic place to chill out and if you look on the horizon you can see the Pyrenees mountain range