Pont Valentré

Pont Valentré
Coordinates	44°26′42″N 1°25′54″E / 44.44500°N 1.43167°ECoordinates: 44°26′42″N 1°25′54″E / 44.44500°N 1.43167°E
Crosses	Lot River[1]
Locale	Cahors, France
Characteristics
Design	arch bridge[1]
Material	stone[1]
Total length	138 metres (453 ft)[1]
Width	5 metres (16 ft)[1]
Height	40 metres (130 ft) (towers)[1]
Longest span	6 × 16.5 metres (54 ft)[1]
Number of spans	6
History
Construction begin	17 June 1308[1]
Construction end	1378
Opened	1350[1]
Pont Valentré Location in France

Illuminations of the Pont Valentré from the Croix de Magne.

The Pont Valentré (Occitan: Pont de Balandras; English: Valentré Bridge) is a 14th-century six-span fortified stone arch bridge crossing the Lot River to the west of Cahors, in France. It has become a symbol of the city.

After the decision was made to build it on 30 April 1306, construction began on 17 June 1308.^[1] It was built between 1308 and 1378 with six Gothic arches and three square towers.^[2] It opened for use in 1350.^[1] It was originally fortified at both ends, but the western tower has not survived.^[3]

A major restoration was performed from 1867 to 1879 by Paul Gout.^[1][3][4]

References

1. Valentré Bridge at Structurae. Retrieved on 2009-10-01.
2. Le Pont Valentré
3. American Society of Civil Engineers (2008). Bridges 2009. ASCE. p. October bridge. ISBN 978-0-7844-1001-1.
4. Paul Gout in the Structurae database. Retrieved on 2009-10-01.

See also

• List of medieval bridges in France