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Origin and history

The Pont du Diable, located on the Dore between the communes of Giroux and Olliergues (near Tours-sur-Meymont), is a medieval work dating from the 15th century. It is distinguished by its very accented structure on the back of a donkey, composed of two arches in the middle of a circle of unequal sizes: the arch on the left bank is larger than that on the right bank. The central pile, unique, is equipped with fore-beeks upstream and downstream, while the apron, three meters wide, retains its original paving in river pebbles. This bridge reflects the rural construction techniques of the time, adapted to local geographical and hydrological constraints.

The name "Pont du Diable" comes from a popular legend, common for this type of building in Europe. According to this belief, the devil would have participated in its construction, often in exchange for a soul or an impossible promise. This narrative, typical of medieval folklore, reflects the fears and symbolic representations associated with bold works of art for their time. The bridge, classified as Historical Monument by decree of 22 October 1971, now belongs to the commune and remains a remarkable example of the rural architectural heritage of Auvergne.

On the technical level, the bridge illustrates the ingenuity of medieval builders: the fore-beeks in the central pile were used to break currents to protect the structure from flooding, while pebbly paving, always visible, facilitated the passage of carts and pedestrians. The dissymmetry of arches could be explained by topographic or hydrological constraints, such as a steeper shoreline or an uneven flow of Dore. Although its exact location is considered "a priori satisfactory" (note 6/10), its relative isolation has probably contributed to its preservation to the present day.

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