Pont Valentré

Geography > Europe > France > Batch > Cahors > the Valentré Bridge ---- the Bridge Valentré (in Occitan: Pont of Balandras ) crosses the Lot in the west of Cahors. It offers today, with its three strengthened towers and its six arches preceded by acute nozzles, an exceptional example of the architecture of medieval defense , become the symbol of the town of Cahors.

History

Built at times of the Franco-English wars, the Valentré bridge, by which one always penetrates in the town of Cahors, constitutes a rare example of Military architecture French of this time, and one of the most beautiful strengthened medieval bridges still remaining.

It was decided by the Consul S of the city in 1306, and the first stone was posed on June 17th 1308. It had a function of Forteresse, intended to defend the city against the attacks coming from the south. However, neither the English, nor Henri IV attacked it.

In back of ass, 138 m length, with six large Gothic of 16,50 m, perfectly preserved ogival arches, with notched pier-heads, surmounted by three square towers with crenels and Machicolation dominating the water of 40 meters. Two Barbacane S protected its access, but that of with dimensions of the city disappeared.

Construction was to involve the creation of a second East-West commercial axis, which was hitherto North-South. The city thus undergoes an important modification which was going to be reflected on all quoted. The bridge was protected spiritually by a Chapelle dedicated to the Vierge in the Western châtelet.

It was completed in 1378.

The legend of the Valentré bridge

Construction while lasting for ever more than one half-century, gave birth to the legend that each cadurcian enjoys to tell. Exasperated by the slowness of work, the project superintendent signs a pact with Satan. The devil will put all its know-how at the service of construction and if it carries out all its orders, it will give up its heart in payment to him. The bridge rises with speed, work are completed, the contract comes to a end. To save its heart, because it does not make a point of finishing its days in hell, it asks the devil to go to seek water with the source of the Carthusian monks, for its workmen, with a screen…

Of course Satan returned naturally bredouille and lost its market. Decided to be avenged, the Diable comes each night to loosen the last stone of the central tower, said Tour of the devil, positioned back the day before by the masons.

In 1879, at the time of the restoration of the Bridge, the Architecte Paul Gout makes affix in the empty site, a stone carved with the effigy of the demon which since, remains hopelessly hung, the claws captive of cement.

Work

  • Devil of the bridge Valentré , Joel Polomski, adapted the Legendary one of the Quercy of Robert Martinot, ISBN 2-9518 916-0-1.

External bonds

  • the Bridge Valentré 1
  • the Bridge Valentré 2

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