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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Thalie bridge, located in the hamlet of Corcelle in Châtenoy-le-Royal, was built between 1766 and 1770 under the direction of Émiland Gauthey, a sub-engineer of the states of Burgundy. The original project, designed in 1759 by Thomas Dumorey (Chief Engineer of Bridges and Roads), was modified in 1766 before its realization. This bridge spanning the Thalie River illustrates the 18th century hydraulic construction techniques in Burgundy, a period marked by an increased development of road and river infrastructure under the impetus of the provincial states.

Ranked a Historical Monument by decree of 20 April 1931, the Thalie Bridge bears witness to the expertise of Burgundy engineers, including Gauthey, known for his contributions to the canals and bridges of the region. Its architecture reflects the growing need for traffic between cities such as Chalon-sur-Saône and Autun, heirs of Roman roads still visible in the local landscape. The nearby Gallo-Roman Milepoint (exposed to the Denon Museum) is a reminder of the old road linking Cabillonum (Chalon) to Augustodunum (Autun), highlighting the historical continuity of the communication axes in this territory.

Châtenoy-le-Royal, a municipality located in Saône-et-Loire, has preserved several traces of its past, from the Gallo-Roman era to the industrial era. The bridge of the Thalie is part of this varied heritage, alongside other monuments such as the chapel of the Château de Cruzille (17th century) or the church of Saint Martin (1856). Its early ranking (1931) underscores its heritage importance, linked both to its aesthetics and its role in the history of regional transportation. Today owned by the commune, there remains a symbol of the engineering of the Enlightenment in Burgundy-Franche-Comté.

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