Pont médiéval du Bretou
MonumentHidden Treasure
Pont médiéval du Bretou, located in Eymet (Dordogne), is a medieval landmark built in the Middle Ages. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Period
- Medieval (11th-15th century)
- Location
- Eymet, Dordogne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 44.6710, 0.4042
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00135165
Spanning the Dropt since the Middle Ages, the Bretou bridge in Eymet reveals three extradosed arches and its protective eaves, a rare example of medieval engineering in Purple Périgord.
History
In the heart of purple Périgord, just a stone's throw from the ramparts of the bastide town of Eymet, the Pont de Bretou crosses the Dropt with an elegant sobriety that hasn't aged a day since the Middle Ages. Known by many names - Roman Bridge, Old Bridge or New Bridge - this structure combines in just a few metres of stone all the constructive wisdom of medieval builders, capable of adapting their art to the whims of a Perigord river. What is immediately striking is the slight curvature of the deck, which the engineers of the time instinctively calculated to better withstand the pressure of flooding. The Dropt, a lively and sometimes unpredictable river, has found a worthy adversary in this bridge. The natural island between the two banks has been cleverly incorporated into the design: it forms the third support point for the structure and helps to break up the force of the current, protecting the main piers from erosion. The two forebays - one triangular, the other rectangular - are no mere ornaments. These projections upstream of the piers broke the ice in winter, deflected logs swept along by floodwaters and offered pedestrians a providential refuge when a load of carts crossed the narrow deck. So many details that tell us, better than any words could, about the intense daily life that animated this obligatory passage to Bergerac. Listed as a Historic Monument since 1995, the Bretou bridge can be visited with the eyes of the curious walker rather than the hurried tourist. From its arches, the view over the meandering Dropt and the wooded banks of the Périgord offers a picture of great serenity. An ideal stop-off for those exploring the valley by bike or on foot, between medieval bastides and Bergerac vineyards.
Architecture
The architecture of the Bretou bridge is typical of the Périgord region, sober and efficient, built entirely of local limestone. The structure is built over three extradosed arches - i.e. arches whose external curvature follows and amplifies that of the intrados - a technique that gives the structure greater strength in the face of lateral thrusts. The smallest of the three arches, resting on the median island, plays an essential hydraulic role: it allows water to be released during floods, by providing an additional passage for the overflow diverted from the main channel. The slight curvature of the deck is one of the most remarkable technical features of the structure. Rather than opposing the current of the Dropt head-on, the bridge has a sloping profile that dissipates the energy of the water and reduces the risk of scouring the piers. This principle, empirically mastered by medieval builders, can be found on a number of ancient bridges in the region. The two foredecks deserve particular attention: one, triangular in shape, is positioned upstream to split the current like a ship's bow; the other, rectangular, provides a flat surface that served as a refuge for pedestrians overwhelmed by the traffic on the narrow deck. These appendages, integrated into the main piers, bear witness to a sophisticated approach to the daily use of the bridge, at the crossroads of hydraulic engineering and user comfort.
Related Figures
Alphonse de Poitiers — initiateur présumé de la fondation de la bastide d'Eymet vers 1270, dont le pont est l'infrastructure indispensableÉdouard Ier d'Angleterre — sous la suzeraineté duquel Eymet et ses ouvrages publics se développèrent après le traité de Paris de 1259Les maîtres maçons périgordins — artisans anonymes qui conçurent et bâtirent l'ouvrage en adaptant les techniques de l'arc extradossé aux contraintes du DroptLes consuls d'Eymet — administrateurs médiévaux et modernes chargés de l'entretien du pont, garants de la prospérité commerciale de la bastide
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pont médiéval du Bretou located?
Pont médiéval du Bretou is located in Eymet, Dordogne department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, France.
When was Pont médiéval du Bretou built?
Pont médiéval du Bretou dates back to a period built in the Middle Ages (11th-15th century).
Is Pont médiéval du Bretou open to visitors?
Pont médiéval du Bretou is currently closed to visitors.
