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Origin and history

The Cocuron Bridge at Merpins, built in the second half of the eighteenth century, replaces an old temporary wooden bridge mentioned in a 1757 trial. This wooden bridge, rebuilt annually, allowed owners access to the Cocuron prairie to exploit hay. The lack of sustainability of this structure probably motivated the construction of a more permanent stone structure.

The present stone bridge, dated 1777 with an inscription engraved on the insides of its vault, has a characteristic architecture. It rests on a single vault in basket cove, supported by abutments designed to withstand frequent flooding of the stream. The harpsels, decorated with crossettes, and the extrados raised from the banks illustrate a technical adaptation to local hydrological constraints.

The apron, still covered with its original pebbles coating, is lined with parapets protected by five wheel-hunters in half-tronc cone on each side. These elements, combined with a moulding body consisting of a cellar and a large tore, highlight the care given to both functionality and aesthetics. The bridge, registered with the Historical Monuments in 2003, now belongs to the municipality of Merpins.

Prior to its stone construction, the Cocuron meadow, located between Charenton and Charente, was an agricultural area whose access depended on this seasonal crossing. The 1757 trial revealed tensions between owners for its maintenance, reflecting the economic importance of floodplains in this region.

The choice of cutting stone and the hydraulic design of the bridge demonstrate local expertise in sustainable construction. The arch in basket cove, typical of the eighteenth century, and the anti-flooding devices show a mastery of techniques adapted to capricious streams, frequent in Poitou-Charentes.

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