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Origin and history

The Villeneuve Bridge, also known as the Mosson Bridge, is a bridge between Saint-Jean-de-Védas and Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, in the Hérault. It was built after the great floods of 1766 which destroyed several bridges in the region, including Cournonterral. The states of Languedoc then obtained from King Louis XV a funding of £1,200,000 for their reconstruction. This bridge, designed to withstand flooding, was completed in 1778 and listed as a historic monument in 2012.

The structure consists of two arches in basket handle of 31.80 meters opening, separated by a central battery of 9.20 meters thick. The techniques used, such as piles drowned in concrete with wooden soles and iron hooves, were designed to strengthen its solidity in the face of floods. The materials used include the yellow shell limestone of Saint-Laurent-de-Védas for the noble parts, while the abutments and parapets were made of pebbly masonry.

The architect Jean-Antoine Giral, renowned engineer, supervised the works. The bridge presents notable architectural details, such as holed bosses and a prominent table for coats of arms. Today, there remains a testimony of the 18th century hydraulic engineering and the history of infrastructure in Languedoc.

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