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Origin and history

The bridge of Aiguines is a medieval and modern structure built between the 1st quarter of the 13th century and the 3rd quarter of the 17th century. 125 meters long and three wide, it had seven arches and connected Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence) to Aiguines (Var), on the former Roman road of the Verdon. It was later integrated into the national road 557, which became the departmental road 957.

During the Second World War, the bridge was energized by guerrillas and Germans and then bombed by American aircraft. Despite these destructions, he was listed as a historical monument in 1945. In 1974, it was swallowed under the waters of Lake St. Croix after the dam was put into operation, but its protected status allowed its conservation in situ, unlike other constructions in the area.

Prior to his submersion, the bridge was used as a setting for René Clément's film Jeux prom (1952), where initial scenes were shot. Today, it rests intact under the lake, silent witness to its turbulent history and its role in regional exchanges.

Its exact origin remains uncertain: the sources do not specify whether it was built in Gallo-Roman or medieval times. However, its structure and layout suggest a continuity of use over centuries, marking its strategic and economic importance for the Verdon valleys.

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