Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The bridge of Grez-sur-Loing, nicknamed the Old Bridge, is a medieval stone work with a donkey, composed of 10 arches crossing the Loing. Built between the 12th and 17th centuries, it underwent several destructions and restorations, including an identical reconstruction in 1980. Its typical architecture and picturesque setting made it a favourite for artists such as Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, Kuroda Seiki and Carl Larsson from the 19th century.

In August 1944, three of its central arches were destroyed, requiring nearly forty years of work before its complete restoration. Since 1926, the bridge has also marked the history of contemporary art in 1984, when Christo was experimentally packaged before his intervention on Pont Neuf in Paris.

The bridge, owned by the Seine-et-Marne department, illustrates both medieval engineering and heritage conservation issues. Its location in Grez-sur-Loeng, a village inspired by Impressionist painters, reinforces its cultural and tourist appeal. Historical sources, such as the works of Serge Montens or Jean-Marie Perugia de Montclos, underline its importance in the Franciscan heritage.

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