The Roman bridge of Pont-Saint-Martin
A single arch over the Lys for more than two thousand years
The bridge that gave Pont-Saint-Martin its name crosses the Lys in a single arch, just before the stream joins the Dora Baltea. It dates from the 1st century BC and carried the Roman road to Gaul.
A daring arch
The arch spans about 31 metres. For its time this was a feat: few Roman bridges have a single arch so wide. The bridge carried the valley’s main road until the 19th century.
Saint Martin and the devil
A legend explains the name. Saint Martin, wishing to cross the torrent, is said to have made a pact with the devil: the bridge would be built in one night, in exchange for the soul of the first to cross it. The saint sent a dog across. Every year at carnival the town re-enacts the story and burns the devil under the bridge.
Visiting
The bridge stands in the heart of the village. It can be crossed on foot, free of charge.
Main photo: dacolje, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.
Maps: personal work by Marc Badjou.
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