Pont Julien: An Ancient Roman Bridge in Southern France

Visitor Information

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Country: France

Civilization: Roman

Remains: Infrastructure

History

The Pont Julien is located near Bonnieux in the Vaucluse department of southern France. This region was part of the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis. The bridge was constructed by the Romans around 3 BCE to serve the Via Domitia, a Roman road linking Narbonne to Turin. Its name derives from the nearby Roman settlement of Colonia Apta Julia, now known as Apt.

Before the current bridge, an earlier structure existed at the site, traces of which remain visible near the piers. The Pont Julien replaced this older crossing to better accommodate the growing traffic along the Via Domitia. It played a role in connecting Roman settlements across the Calavon valley and facilitating movement through the Luberon region.

The bridge remained in continuous use for over two millennia, serving as part of the local road network well into the 21st century. In 2005, traffic was redirected to a modern bridge to protect the ancient structure. Since then, the Pont Julien has been preserved as a historic monument and integrated into a regional cycling route.

Remains

The Pont Julien is a stone arch bridge measuring about 80 meters in length. It features three arches, with the central arch taller than the two side arches. The bridge crosses the Calavon river near the mouth of the Roquefure gorge, with a stepped riverbed visible both upstream and downstream.

Constructed from large limestone blocks quarried locally in the Luberon region, the bridge demonstrates Roman masonry techniques. Its intermediate piers include large arched openings, known as flood relief bays, which reduce water pressure during floods. Upstream, semicircular cutwaters protect the piers from river currents.

The bridge’s width is approximately six meters, with a roadway of about 4.2 meters. It stands between nine and eleven and a half meters high at the central arch. The structure is well preserved and considered one of the best-maintained Roman bridges in France.

The remains of the ancient road leading to and from the Pont Julien extend for several kilometers along the Calavon valley, linking it to nearby settlements such as Apt, Bonnieux, Beaumettes, and Cavaillon.