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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The bridge of Alet-les-Bains, located in the department of Aude in Occitanie, allows to cross the river Aude. Its history dates back at least to the 14th century, when the consuls of the city obtained from the king the cancellation of the right of barragium (an award) originally intended for its financing. This first work, whose exact location remains uncertain, precedes the current bridge, mentioned in the archives before the seventeenth century. The medieval structure was swept away by an exceptional flood of Aude on 16 November 1625, marking a turning point in its history.

The reconstruction of the bridge was entrusted in 1627 to master mason Pierre Pichon, a craftsman whose expertise was also sought to assess the damage on other regional works, such as the bridge of Espéraza. The work took place over thirteen years, ending in 1640. The new building, still standing today, is distinguished by its four arches with uneven openings (up to 20.80 m for the widest) and its batteries reinforced by fore-beeks and sterns, designed to withstand flooding.

Ranked a historic monument by decree of November 23, 1942, the bridge illustrates the evolution of construction techniques between the Middle Ages and the modern era. Its protection reflects its heritage importance, both for its architecture and its historical role in local exchanges. Archives and studies, such as those of Marcel Prade (Historical Monument Bridges, 1988), highlight its value as a testimony of 17th-century Masonic know-how in Languedoc.

Today owned by the commune of Alet-les-Bains, the bridge remains a key element of the urban landscape. Its 5.20 m wide apron, designed for period traffic, contrasts with contemporary standards. Available sources (Wikipedia, Merimée base, Monumentum) confirm its satisfactory state of conservation, although its exact location on modern maps sometimes makes debate (estimated precision at 5/10).

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