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Origin and history

The Armenian Bridge, also known as the Armenian Bridge, is a suspended structure built at the beginning of the 20th century to connect Sorgues, on the left bank of the Rhone, to the island of Oiselay. This bridge crossed the "arms of the armed men" (or arms of the Armenians in French), a dead arm of the river. The term "armeniers" refers to Armenians in Provençal, highlighting a possible local historical or cultural influence.

The island of Oiselay, of about 450 hectares, had been exploited for agricultural activities (cereals, sugar beet) since the 19th century. Prior to the construction of the bridge, the inhabitants depended on traillet ferries to cross the Rhône, such as the Dragonet ferry or the Oiselet ferry. These systems, often interrupted by floods, became ineffective after World War I, pushing islanders to demand a fixed bridge.

In 1922, the Islanders asked the Ministry of Agriculture to create a free union to build the bridge. Authorised in 1923, the project is led by engineer Backes (Lyon) and mason Bourrely (Montfavet). The construction permit was deposited in January 1925, and the work began in the same year and ended in July 1926. The bridge, with a single span of 157 meters and 2.30 meters wide (with two sidewalks of 50 cm), was opened for traffic in August 1926.

Initially managed by the association of the inhabitants until 1950, the bridge was then transferred to the municipality of Sorgues due to economic difficulties. It ceased to be used in 1975 and became obsolete. In 2020, a renovation project was launched to rehabilitate it in pedestrian crossings, giving a second life to this iconic local heritage.

Architecturally, the Armenian bridge is distinguished by its semi-rigid suspended structure, typical of the bridges of this time. Its history reflects the practical needs of the Rhône river communities, as well as the challenges posed by the frequent flooding of the river. Today, it represents a testimony of the civil engineering of the early twentieth century and the social dynamics of the region.

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