Pont Valentré facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pont Valentré |
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| Coordinates | 44°26′42″N 1°25′54″E / 44.44500°N 1.43167°E |
| Crosses | Lot |
| Locale | Cahors, France |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | arch bridge |
| Material | stone |
| Total length | 138 metres (453 ft) |
| Width | 5 metres (16 ft) |
| Height | 40 metres (130 ft) (towers) |
| Longest span | 6 × 16.5 metres (54 ft) |
| Number of spans | 6 |
| History | |
| Construction begin | 17 June 1308 |
| Construction end | 1378 |
| Opened | 1350 |
The Pont Valentré is a famous old stone bridge in Cahors, France. It was built a long time ago, in the 14th century. This bridge crosses the Lot River and is known for its strong design. It has become a special symbol of the city of Cahors.
Building the bridge started on June 17, 1308. It took many years to finish, finally opening in 1350. The bridge was completed in 1378. It has six Gothic arches and three tall, square towers. The Pont Valentré was built to be very strong. It was even fortified at both ends to protect the city. Today, only one of these end towers remains.
This bridge was important during the Hundred Years' War between France and England. It helped protect Cahors. In 1998, the Pont Valentré was named a World Heritage Site. This means it is a very important place for everyone in the world to protect. Today, you can only cross this historic bridge on foot.
Contents
History of the Pont Valentré
The idea to build the Pont Valentré came about on April 30, 1306. Construction began two years later. It was a huge project for its time. The bridge was designed with six large arches. These arches helped it span the wide Lot River.
Building the Bridge
The construction of the Pont Valentré took 70 years. It was a very long time to build anything back then. The bridge was made from strong stone. It also had three tall towers. These towers were built to help defend the bridge. They made it a strong fortress.
Restoring the Bridge
Over the centuries, the bridge needed repairs. A big restoration project happened from 1867 to 1879. An architect named Paul Gout led this work. He made sure the bridge stayed strong and beautiful. His work helped preserve it for future generations.
The Legend of the Pont Valentré
There is a famous story about the Pont Valentré. It is a local legend that people in Cahors love to tell. The story explains why one stone in the bridge is always loose.
The Devil's Pact
The legend says that building the bridge took a very long time. The foreman, who was in charge of the work, became very frustrated. He made a deal with the Devil. The Devil promised to help finish the bridge quickly. In return, the foreman would give the Devil his soul.
Tricking the Devil
When the bridge was almost done, the foreman felt bad about his deal. He decided to trick the Devil. He gave the Devil one last task. He told the Devil to carry water for the workers using a sieve. A sieve has holes, so it cannot hold water. The Devil tried and tried but could not do it.
The Devil's Tower
The Devil was very angry that he had been tricked. As revenge, he sends a demon every night. This demon loosens a special stone in the central tower. This tower is now called the Devil's Tower. The stone must be fixed every morning. This way, the bridge is never truly finished.
The Imp's Stone
During the restoration in 1879, architect Paul Gout added a special stone. This stone has a small carved image of an imp. Now, the legend says that when the Devil checks his work, he gets confused. He thinks the imp is one of his own demons. He believes the imp is already working to dismantle the bridge. So, he leaves the stone alone.
See also
In Spanish: Puente Valentré para niños
- List of medieval bridges in France
- List of bridges in France
