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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The bridge of Entraygues-sur-Truyère is a medieval building built in the 14th century to cross the Truyère, in the department of Aveyron. It is located in the commune of Entraygues-sur-Truyère, in the Occitanie region, and marks the last crossing point on the Truyère before its confluence with the Lot. Originally, it supported National Highway 120 (now 920), connecting Entraygues-sur-Truyère to Aurillac, before this traffic was diverted to Cambeyrac Dam upstream.

Authorised in 1269 by the Archbishop of Bourges Jean de Sully, the bridge was commissioned in 1340. In 1388, the Earl of Armagnac ordered his partial destruction to protect Entraygues from the roadmen, armed groups looting the area during the Hundred Years War. The building underwent repairs in 1524 and restoration in 1680, demonstrating its strategic and economic importance to the city.

Ranked a historic monument on September 16, 1927, the bridge was completely restored between 2017 and 2019. This intervention marks the end of its road vocation: traffic, already restricted in 2010, is permanently abolished. Now reserved for soft traffic, it is equipped with nocturnal lighting and retains its original architectural features, such as its four bays with arches of varying sizes (from 12.70 m to 16.75 m) and its triangular foreclosures.

With a width of 3.55 metres, the bridge illustrates medieval construction techniques, with rectangular backyards and safety spaces integrated into the parapet for pedestrians. Its history reflects the defensive and logistical challenges of the region, between the Middle Ages and the modern era, as well as contemporary adaptations to preserve this heritage while meeting current needs.

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