Devil’s Bridge
- Pont du Diable
- 66400 Céret
Built at the beginning of medieval times, the Pont du Diable is a crossing point for pilgrims on their way to the village of Saint Guillhem le Désert. Nowadays, this architecture inspired by the Romanesque style has become one of the tourist attractions of Languedoc Roussillon .
A tourist hotspot in the Pyrénées Orientales
Also called ” Vieux Pont ” or ” Pont de Céret “, the Pont du Diable was built in the 14th century in Céret . It replaced a wooden footbridge which, with each downpour, was engulfed by the river.
The construction of the Pont du Diable was carried out by the monks of Gellone and Aniane. Launched in 1321, the work lasted nearly 20 years. With a length of 65 m, the building is composed of two main arches 18 meters high. Gills have also been fitted out to facilitate water irrigation.
The Pont du Diable is located in the gorges of the Hérault , near the limestone massif of the Sérranne. This place is intimately nicknamed the “black abyss”.
Considered one of the oldest bridges in France , this monument was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the beginning of the 19th century. It is part of the route of the Way of Compostela or “Via Tolosana”.
If you are passing through Saint Jean de Fos , the Devil’s Bridge must absolutely be one of the tourist sites to visit. Apart from visiting this emblematic heritage of the region, enjoy a family picnic on the Pont du Diable beach. This area is open for swimming during the summer season, more precisely from July 1 to August 31.
Discover the Devil’s Bridge differently
Canoe rentals are also organized here. For this nautical activity, professionals in white water sports offer many courses, in particular the “discovery of the gorges”, the “course of the herons” or even the “potholes of the giants”. The opportunity is ideal to discover the magnificent landscape that borders the Hérault river.
If you are looking for accommodation near the Pont du Diable, La Vallée campsite opens its doors to you in less than 10 minutes. This campsite in St Jean Pla de Corts offers friendly and comfortable mobile homes . Several activities are also open to the public during the holidays.