Pont d'Eudes

About

The bridge of Eudes or Old Bridge, now in the state of scattered remains, was, in medieval times and for more than seven centuries, until the 1780s, the only bridge that crossed the Loire at Tours. Previously, a bridge was formed with boats, which made the crossing of the Loire rather perilous. This decides the Count of Tours to erect a solid bridge impeded to resist the fervour and moods of the river.

He thus hoped to promote the trade and pilgrimage of Saint Martin and to diminish the advantage that his great rival the Count of Anjou derives from the bridge of Amboise, the only existing then to cross the Loire. The bridge will, however, be subjected to vicissitudes that have been found to be unreliable despite many changes. The Eudes Bridge was the oldest known in Tours at this place, until the discovery in 2000 of traces augurating the existence of several ancient bridges, one of which, known as Aucard Island, immediately east of its current remains.

On this site we find today the Saint-Symphorian Bridge (known as the wire bridge).