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Origin and history

The so-called "Roman of Lurs" or "Ganagobie" bridge is a masonry structure built to cross the Buès ravine, a violent torrent regularly cutting the Domitian way. This bridge, among the oldest in France, allowed this ancient route to connect Segustero (Sisteron) to Alaunium (Lurs), thus avoiding a swamp formed by the confluence of Buès and Durance. Its 300-metre deviation from the valley reflects the adaptation of Roman engineers to geographical constraints.

The bridge was built in the early 2nd century, between the reigns of Hadrian (121-122) and Antonin the Pious (141-145). Hadrian, during his visit to Gaul, had ordered improvements to the road network, while Antonin le Pieux continued this work, as evidenced by the miles discovered in Provence and Languedoc. The bridge, based on blocks of Ganagobie limestone, has an arch in the middle of a twin-rolled arch, characteristic of Roman works of the time. Cornish access routes were dug to facilitate its integration into the landscape.

Used until the 19th century by the Royal Road (future RN96), the bridge was abandoned after the construction of a embankment in 1850. Rediscovered in 1963 by historian Guy Barruol, he was then identified as an ancient vestige and classified as a historical monument in the same year. Its structure, although partially restored (establish, parapets, upper part of the facades), retains original elements, such as a phallus engraved on an abutment, symbol either of force of the carriages, or of apotropaic protection.

With a length of 30 meters, a width of 6 meters and a height of 10 meters, the bridge illustrates the durability of Roman techniques. Its unique arch, with an opening of 7.8 meters and a radius of 3.9 meters, rests on abutments protected by walls upstream and downstream. The materials used, limestone from Ganagobia and Saint-Donat, as well as the regularity of the apparatus, confirm its ancient origin. Today, it serves as a secondary road to Lurs, while remaining a major testimony of the Roman road heritage in Provence.

The bridge is also marked by reinterpretations over the centuries, such as its old name "bridge of the Death of Man", perhaps evoking local legends. Its classification in 1963 allowed its preservation, stressing its historical and architectural importance. Guy Barruol's studies, published in Gallia (1963), and later works, such as those of Philippe Auran, have helped document his role in the ancient old network and its evolution until the modern era.

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