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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The metal bridge on the La Lanterne River, located between Bourguignon-lès-Conflans and Mersuay (Haute-Saône), is an emblematic work of the 2nd quarter of the 19th century. Built in 1849 by Jérôme Patret according to the drawings of engineer Nicolas Cadiat, he uses cast iron parts from the foundry in Varigney. This road bridge, now a pedestrian, illustrates the innovative structural system of Antoine Rémy Polonceau, similar to that of the Carrousel bridge in Paris or the Saint-Thomas bridge in Strasbourg.

The structure rests on two metal arches of 24.30 metres each, composed of three hollow oval cast iron pipes. These arcs lean on abutments and a central stone pillar of 2.30 metres thick. The apron, in crosswood boards, is supported by rings of decreasing diameter, while the cross balustrade of Saint Andrew, also in cast iron, completes the whole. The bridge was replaced by a modern prestressed concrete structure about 20 metres downstream.

Ranked a historic monument since October 20, 1982, this bridge is one of the oldest cast iron bridges still existing in France. Its inscription bears witness to its heritage importance, both for its architecture and for its role in the history of metal construction techniques in the nineteenth century. Mastery of the work is attributed to a certain GRANDMOUGIN, although details about this character remain limited in available sources.

The bridge is located south of the village of Bourguignon-lès-Conflans, crossing the Lanterne, a tributary of the Saône. Its approximate address, 1 Rue des Ponts, and its code Insee (70087) binds it administratively to the Haute-Saône, in the region Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. The property of the bridge belongs to the department, emphasizing its anchoring in the local heritage.

The available sources, including Wikipedia and the Merimée base, highlight its technical originality and remarkable state of conservation. Although disused for road traffic, it remains a major witness of 19th century engineering and a point of interest for those passionate about industrial history and metallic architecture.

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