Rochefort-Martrou Transporter Bridge

About

The Martrou ferry bridge is a work of metal art that connects the two banks of the Charente, between the towns of Rochefort and Échilllais, without hindering the navigation of the cargo ships that serve the Port de commerce de Rochefort and the Port of Tonnay-Charente. It is the last ferry bridge operating in France. It is located between Rochefort and Échilllais, in the Charente-Maritime department, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, in France.

The Martrou ferry bridge, inaugurated on 29 July 1900, is the work of engineer and builder Ferdinand Arnodin. Located between Rochefort and Échillais in Charente-Maritime. It was the result of numerous reflections on the crossing of the Charente as soon as the town of Rochefort was founded.

In danger after the Second World War, and rendered less useful by the construction of a bridge, he stopped his activities in 1967 and was expected to be demolished, but it was classified as a historic monument in 1976. It is rehabilitated between 1980 and 1994 and therefore has a mainly touristic use. A new restoration took place between 2016 and 2020.