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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Boulangers Bridge, also known as the Grandes Grids Bridge or the Tourniquets Bridge, is a masonry structure built in the 16th century to connect the Bourg de Châtillon-sur-Seine with the developing neighbourhood between the two arms of the Seine. His name comes from the defensive grids that closed his arches, and it was partially destroyed by a flood in 1641. This 24.45-metre long bridge is part of the Boulangers walkway extension and symbolizes the city's urban expansion at that time.

In 1596, the inhabitants of Châtillon-sur-Seine, meeting in a general assembly, decided to build an enclosure to unify the neighbourhoods of Bourg and Chaumont, including this bridge. After damage caused by a flood in 1641, repairs and enlargement were carried out in 1833-1834 by architect Simon Tridon. These interventions enabled the structure to be modernized while preserving its historical character.

The Boulangers Bridge has been listed as a Historic Monument since 16 June 1928 and reflects the Renaissance civil architecture and the strategic importance of river crossings in urban planning. Today, it remains an emblematic element of the heritage of Châtillon-sur-Seine, managed by the municipality and open to the public.

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