Logo Musée du Patrimoine

All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

Flavian Bridge of Saint-Chamas dans les Bouches-du-Rhône

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine urbain
Pont
Bouches-du-Rhône

Flavian Bridge of Saint-Chamas

    Pont Flavien 
    13250 Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Pont Flavien de Saint-Chamas
Crédit photo : maarjaara - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Antiquité
Haut Moyen Âge
Moyen Âge central
Bas Moyen Âge
Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
100
200
1800
1900
2000
Ier siècle
Construction of the bridge
1840
Historical monument classification
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Flavian Bridge: list by 1840

Key figures

Claudius Donnius Flavius - Bridge promoter Sponsor according to Latin inscription.
Lucius Donnius Flavus - Flamine of Rome and Augustus Ordering officer by will (registration).
C. Donnius Vena et C. Attius Rufus - Project Supervisors Mentioned in the epitaph of the bridge.

Origin and history

The Flavien Bridge is an ancient Roman bridge built in the first century, located on the road linking Marseille to Arles, crossing the Touloubre at the entrance of Saint-Chamas. It is part of the extension of the Via Aurelia and owes its name to its promoter, Claudius Donnius Flavius. Ranked a historic monument since 1840, it is remarkable to be the only Roman bridge in the world having retained its original arches. Its architecture includes two monumental arches on each bank, decorated with identical Latin inscriptions.

The Latin inscription engraved on the friezes and architraves reveals that Lucius Donnius Flavus, flamine of Rome and Augustus, ordered the construction of the bridge and arches by will. The production was supervised by C. Donnius Vena and C. Attius Rufus, as indicated in the epigraphic text. This monument illustrates Roman engineering in Provence and its role in exchanges between the ancient cities of Massalia (Marseille) and Arelate (Arles).

The Flavian Bridge survived centuries thanks to its robustness and its early ranking among French historical monuments. It bears witness to the strategic importance of Roman roads in southern Gaul, linking political and economic centres. Today, it remains a symbol of the ancient Provencal heritage, accessible to the public and studied for its construction techniques.

Historical sources, such as Paul Lafran's work or the archives of the Royal Academy of Enrollment, underline its exceptional character. A video and official records (Merimée database, Structurae) document its current state. The bridge belongs to the commune of Saint-Chamas and continues to attract researchers and visitors for its architectural authenticity.

External links