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Origin and history

The Pont du Diable, also named Pont Saint-Antoine, spans the Ariège between Montoulieu and Mercus-Garrabet. His name comes from a local legend: a resident of Ginabat (hamlet of Montoulieu) would have made a pact with the Devil to build the bridge. In exchange, the Devil would demand the soul of the first being to cross it. Once finished, a cat was sent first, cheating on the Devil, who, furious, fell into the river. This legend, among others, sometimes includes the Count of Foix Gaston Fébus, although these accounts did not have any proven historical basis.

Long regarded as a medieval 13th century work, the bridge was actually built in 1836 by the local entrepreneur Adolphe Garrigou for his brother-in-law, the polytechnician Léo Lamarque. The latter installed an experimental hydraulic wheel, designed without a traditional lead channel, taking direct advantage of the current between the arches. The adjacent ruins, often interpreted as defensive remains, were in fact home to infrastructure linked to this innovative hydraulic system.

The bridge was included in the inventory of Historic Monuments by two decrees: the first in 1942 (protection of the site and the surroundings), the second in 1950 (protection of the building itself). A major restoration took place in 1946, including the repair of a corbellation and the consolidation of the walls. Despite its medieval appearance, with an ogival arch and fortified house ruins, its recent history reveals a fusion between legendary heritage and 19th century technical progress.

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