Crédit photo : Maison du Transbordeur - Sous licence Creative Commons
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Timeline
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1900
2000
1898-1900
Construction and inauguration
Construction and inauguration 1898-1900 (≈ 1899)
Directed by Arnodin, inaugurated on July 29, 1900.
1927
Winch electrification
Winch electrification 1927 (≈ 1927)
Replaces the original steam engine.
1933-1934
Reinforcement of the deck
Reinforcement of the deck 1933-1934 (≈ 1934)
Replaced beams, load increased to 16 tons.
30 avril 1976
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 30 avril 1976 (≈ 1976)
Avoids demolition planned in 1975.
1980-1994
First rehabilitation
First rehabilitation 1980-1994 (≈ 1987)
Funded by the EEC, tourist use.
2016-2020
Restoration of the deck
Restoration of the deck 2016-2020 (≈ 2018)
Back to original design for 120 years.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The ferry bridge: classification by order of 30 April 1976; The ferry bridge of Martrou, in full, with the building housing the machinery, located at the outlet of Avenue Jacques-Demy in Rochefort (cad. BM 1 and 3 and non-cadastre public domain) and sis rue du Transbordereur in Echillais (cad. AL 56 and non-cadastre public domain): classification by order of 30 September 2019
Key figures
Ferdinand Arnodin - Engineer and builder
Manufacturer and director of the ferry bridge.
Jacques Demy - Filmmaker
Used the bridge in *Les Demoiselles de Rochefort* (1966).
Lucien Deneau - Aviation
Passed under the aircraft apron (August 1, 1922).
Origin and history
The Martrou ferry bridge, located between Rochefort and Échillais in Charente-Maritime, is the work of engineer Ferdinand Arnodin. Inaugurated on 29 July 1900 after 27 months of work, it responded to the need to cross the Charente without disrupting the maritime traffic to the ports of Rochefort and Tonnay-Charente. This project, selected among several proposals (rotating bridge, tunnel, ferry boat), was carried out by the Arnodin company, which also established its initial operation.
Designed to carry up to 200 pedestrians or 9 horse cars per crossing in 75 seconds, the bridge rests on 8 masonry piles supporting 4 66.25 metre high metal towers. A suspended nacelle, powered by a winch (initially steamed, then electric as early as 1927), allowed the crossing. Its apron of 175.50 meters, culminating at 50 meters, made it a technical feat for the time.
Threatened to demolition after the Second World War because of the increase in road traffic and the construction of a bridge rising downstream (1967), it was saved by its classification as a historic monument on 30 April 1976. Rehabilitated between 1980 and 1994 with European funds, it was then dedicated to tourist use. A new restoration (2016-2020) restored its original trellis apron, marking 120 years in 2020.
The ferry bridge also marked popular culture, serving as a setting for Jacques Demy's film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort (1966), where his nacelle hosted a choreographic scene. A unique survivor of this type in France, it reflects the industrial innovation of the early twentieth century and the adaptation of infrastructures to changing needs.
Its history also reflects the challenges of preserving industrial heritage. After decades of functional decline, its rehabilitation allowed to preserve a local symbol, while illustrating the tensions between modernity (road traffic) and technical heritage. Today, there remains an emblem of Rochefort and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
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