Estimated construction XIVe ou XVe siècle (≈ 1550)
Probable period of construction of the bridge.
28 décembre 1984
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 28 décembre 1984 (≈ 1984)
Official registration of the muletier bridge.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Pont muletier du Moulin Fresnay, crossing the Vaigue : inscription by order of 28 December 1984
Origin and history
The muletier bridge of the Fresnay Mill is a medieval structure linking the communes of Auvers-le-Hamon (Sarthe) and Beaumont-Pied-de-Bœuf (Mayenne). Built in the 14th or 15th century, it crossed the Vaige River with four arches and two avant-becs. Its structure, consisting of rubble, marble and sandstone, is 22.80 metres long for 1.28 metres wide. Some architectural elements, such as archaic harpsichords, suggest an earlier origin, potentially dating back to the early Middle Ages.
This bridge, originally designed for mule use, ends with a bridge over the adjacent mill bay. Although its exact dating remains debated, its style and materials reflect local medieval construction techniques. It reflects the importance of hydraulic and transport infrastructure in rural areas of western France at that time.
The bridge was listed as historic monuments on December 28, 1984, recognizing its heritage value. This protection extends to the entire structure, including its elements spanning the Vaige. Today, it is a rare vestige of medieval bridges still visible in the Pays de la Loire, illustrating the know-how of the builders of the time.
