Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Lascaux Bridge, located in Saint-Auvert in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, is a medieval structure built of granite-cut stone and stone. It consists of two abutments and two batteries, with a paved apron and a metal guard replacing the absence of a parapet. This bridge, which crosses the Gorre River, is now taken by a long hike, although it was abandoned in the late 19th century after the construction of a new adjacent structure, the Digues Bridge. Its access was prohibited due to the deterioration of its masonry, before being restored between 2013 and 2014.

The Lascaux Bridge is classified as a control bridge for the exceptional quality of its site, which also includes a mill and a dam. These elements form a coherent heritage set, reflecting engineering and medieval organization around the watercourses. The bridge was inscribed as a historic monument by order of 28 June 2011, and today belongs to the commune of Saint-Avent. Its location, although considered fair (note 5/10) in terms of accuracy, remains a point of interest for hikers and heritage lovers.

In medieval times, bridges like Lascaux played a crucial role in local exchange and control of traffic routes. Their stone construction, often robust, made it possible to withstand floods and conflicts, while facilitating trade and movement between villages. In Limousin, a region marked by a rural and artisanal economy, these works were also places of toll or meeting, integrated into a landscape shaped by local lords and monastic communities. The mill adjacent to the Lascaux Bridge illustrates this symbiosis between infrastructure and economic activities, such as milling or metallurgy, essential to daily life.

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