Bridge of France

Only in 1851 was a bridge built here, as the second bridge in the city. This bridge was aptly named the Pont de France. While the Pont de Liège served as the main route to and from Liège, the Pont de France (situated close to the French border) did so for France. The two names reflect Bouillon’s long history as a small duchy, alternating between control by France and the Prince-Bishopric of Liège.

Due to its strategic position, the region was often at the center of territorial conflicts. In 1690, Vauban, the famous military architect of Louis XIV, instructed his engineer Choisy to build a fortified wall to defend Bouillon.

This included a high wall (3.5 m tall), about 60 cm thick, which more or less followed the curve of the Semois River. Every 180 meters or so, it was reinforced by one of nine pentagonal bastions. Three city gates were also built, including one at the current Pont de France site.

This “Porte de France” was demolished in 1857, along with the other gates. In 1859, permission was granted to dismantle the defensive walls between the two main bridges. Fortunately, some relics remain: three bastions, a guard post (la Poulie), wall fragments, and one column from the original French Gate. This column can still be seen next to a former customs house on the Vieille Route de France, the old road to France.