Pont de Vieille-Brioude

The Pont de Vieille -Brioude is a stone arch bridge in the village of Vieille -Brioude over the river Allier, in Haute -Loire. The bridge with a total length of 100 m and an arch span of 45 meters was built from 1824 to 1832.

Medieval predecessor

A medieval predecessor on the same site was probably built in 1479 and had a wingspan of 54.57 m. For about 300 years, this bridge was the one with the largest arch span all existing at the time masonry arch bridges. The arch with a span of 72 m or greater Trezzo bridge had already been brought down in 1416. The bridge was arranged by the local Madame de Dombes and Grenier and Estone performed in the same way as the later built Pont Grand in Tournon -sur -Rhône. The completion of the bridge was delayed due to various disputes over several years. The bridge was too narrow and its sunrises too steep, so she could not be traveled by car. On March 27, 1822 at 6 clock early in the bridge collapsed in itself.