Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Fourques suspension bridge, also known as the old Fourques bridge, is an emblematic art work linking the communes of Fourques in the Gard and Arles in the Bouches-du-Rhône. Built during the 2nd quarter of the 19th century, it allows you to cross the Petit-Rhône, an arm of the Rhone delta in the Camargue. This bridge illustrates the bold engineering of its time, marked by the development of suspended bridges in France, symbols of modernity and connection between territories.

The monument was listed as a historic monument on July 6, 1988, recognizing its heritage value. Since 2023, it has been closed to motorized traffic because of its condition, requiring a still uncertain restoration. Only pedestrians and cyclists can now use it. A second, more recent bridge was built downstream to meet current traffic needs, while the former bridge remains a testament to the region's industrial and architectural heritage.

Administratively, the bridge is owned by the department and appears in the Mérimée inventories under the references of Bouches-du-Rhône and Gard. Its precise location, between the codes Insee 13004 (Arles) and 30118 (Fourques), underscores its historic role as a link between two distinct territories, now integrated into the Occitanie and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regions. Available sources, such as Wikipedia and Monumentum, confirm its importance in the cultural landscape of the Camargue.

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