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Origin and history

The bridges of the Port-la-Claye are two buildings crossing the Lay, located between the communes of La Bretonnière-la-Claye, Curzon, Lairoux and Saint-Cyr-en-Talmondais, in Vendée. These works, built in the 18th century, were mentioned as early as 1728 in the Compendium of Plans of Bas-Poitou and Aunis by Claude Masse. The map of the Academy (Cassini family) and the Atlas of the French roads of Daniel-Charles Trudaine confirm their existence, pointing two distinct bridges to cross the arms of the Lay.

The main bridge, with three arches, separates four communes and once marked a quadripoint between three arrondissements. The second bridge, with two arches, crossed the Petit-Lay and sheltered German explosives in 1944, discovered in 1953. Made of stone masonry with avant-becs and arrière-becs, these bridges were diverted in 1982 by departmental road 949, becoming a secondary road.

Attributed to Étienne Raimbaud in 1746 by Benjamin Fillon, their construction could be earlier, as suggested by their mention in 1728. Owned by the Conseil départemental de la Vendée, they have been listed as historical monuments since 20 November 1985. Their history reflects the evolution of road infrastructure and the strategic stakes of the territory, particularly during the Second World War.

The Port-la-Claye site was already a strategic crossing point under antiquity, with the Sauniers' path linking Jard to Fontenay. This route, which can only be crossed by boat, illustrates the historical significance of this crossing. The royal maps of the 18th century confirm its role in the old régime road network, linking the Sands and Olonne to Fontenay.

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