This conspicuous bridge with a curve and a long north ramp is located east of the village of La Brigue in an otherwise quite deserted side valley of the Alpes Maritime. But you also come here if you want to visit the chapel Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines.

Today it is purely a pedestrian bridge, the sharp curve and the arch over the creek forbid motorized traffic. But the bridge was never entirely useless. Smaller harnessed teams could turn the corner because the ramp in front of the curve is much wider than the rest of the road. But the corner remains a hindrance. The bridge is built with rubble stones and mortar.

In its secluded location, far from the village and other houses, it makes a nice landscape motif.

Site history

The purpose of erection at this point is not documented. The bridge always led from the right bank of the stream to a few fields in the south, but there is also a path and there were and are other bridges not far away. The former lime kiln, which is a little further up the river, has its own bridge. It is assumed that it can also be a memorial-like monumental building because the bridge is too big for the purpose at this point.

All that is known is that the bridge was first built in the 15th century. In 1710, after a flood, it was rebuilt by the Cometto family of bricklayers, who originally came from Lugano. 1837, 1843 and 1906 further repairs followed after flood events.

Many legends are entwined around this bridge, the stories always include a rooster (coq), of course, but none of them can be proven in any way.

Access by public transport

La Brigue does have a train station, but it is west of the village and the bridge is to the east of La Brigue. However, there are not too few trains, see the possible connections under TER PACA (only french), look for line Nice-Breil-Tende.

From the train station you first have to go to the village, through it and back out into nature to the east south of the La Lavensa stream. This is how you get to a marked path far away from the road, which also leads to chapel Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines. It takes about 45 minutes one way.

Further ahead, the path leads to two other sights: a former lime kiln and the chapel Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines. The route and these points are noted on the map on this page.

Access by car

From Nice, take the direction of Sospel and Col de Tende. After St. Dalmas, the road to La Brigue branches off to the right. Drive north past the village and continue in the direction of Morignole and the chapel Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines. A few minutes after leaving La Brigue you pass under high voltage power lines. The bridge is immediately on the right.

Parking site

There are no significant stopping places. You can only stop in front of the entrance to the bridge, but that blocks the view of it. Opposite is a field access road where you can stop briefly.