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Origin and history

The Port-Lesney Bridge is a modern art building located on the Loue, in the village of the same name, in the Jura department. Built between 1938 and 1940, it replaces an ancient stone bridge, itself heir to a long history dating back to a first wooden bridge erected in 1490. This medieval bridge, destroyed and rebuilt several times (notably in 1674 and 1783), was known to cause flooding due to its large pillars and low vaults. Despite the addition of two additional arches in the 19th century, the floods, like the one of 1931, motivated its progressive demolition from 1951, with the exception of a preserved arch.

The current bow-string bridge is a unique example in France of a reinforced concrete bridge of this design. It is 91 metres long and 8.5 metres wide, with its main arc extending 45 metres. For 11 years (1940-1951), the two bridges — the old and the new — coexisted, a detail highlighted by Claude Chabrol's film La Ligne de démarche (1965), although the filming took place after the destruction of the old work. This bridge has been part of historic monuments since 1997 and illustrates the evolution of construction techniques and adaptation to natural constraints.

The old bridge, with a toll in the 17th century, was a central element of local life, connecting the districts of the Port (right bank) and Lesney (left bank). The disused chapel adjacent to the preserved arch, formerly dedicated to the Holy Trinity and Notre-Dame, bears witness to the religious and administrative importance of the place: it served as a town hall before being abandoned. The current bridge, owned by the Jura department, remains a symbol of resilience to the whims of Loue, a river known for its devastating floods.

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