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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The bridge over the Serein, located in Montreal (Yonne), is an 18th-century historical monument, characterized by its four arches with avant-becs and arrière-becs. It was part of an old road, traditionally attributed to Queen Brunehaut, connecting Avallon to Montbard. This route, along 800 toises and marked with 14 bridges, allowed the troops to avoid a detour of three leagues. Its state of degradation in the 18th century isolated Montreal, formerly the centre of exchange for leaf leaves and the Mairain, even cutting off access to grasslands and spiritual relief during floods.

In 1727, the states of Burgundy financed the reconstruction of the three large arches of the bridge, following the complaints of the inhabitants faced with frequent drownings. Twenty years later, two more bridges were added to improve the Montreal roadway, but the plan to fully restore Montréal's Avallon-Montbard road, decided in 1745, was never implemented. The bridge underwent a new restoration or even partial reconstruction in the early 19th century.

Ranked Historic Monument by decree of 21 March 1983, the bridge is now owned by the Yonne department. Its history reflects the issues of traffic and security in the Burgundy of Ancien Régime, as well as the local efforts to maintain the infrastructures in the face of the whims of the Serein and the military or commercial needs.

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