Bridge of Liège

Residents of the Semois valley always needed ways to cross the river for trade, access to farmland and forests, or to reach other villages. Initially, they used fords, footbridges, and later wooden bridges. Eventually, these gave way to more solid stone constructions.

The wooden Pont de Liège, built in 1069, was Bouillon’s first bridge. It was essential for the major trade route between Verdun and Liège. It was destroyed several times by floating ice. A stone bridge was finally built in 1598 and later reinforced by Vauban in 1680. It was rebuilt again in 1778 and became known as the “Old Bridge.”

A second bridge, the Pont de France, wasn’t built until 1851. Others followed in Poupehan, Dohan, and Cordemois. Due to their strategic importance, all these bridges were destroyed during wartime. On 11 May 1940, French troops themselves blew up the three bridges in Bouillon to slow the German advance.

The Pont de Liège is also culturally significant. Locals engage in “ponter,” a Bouillon-specific activity: leaning on the bridge wall, chatting, observing, or meeting others. “Ponter” is untranslatable but cherished.

In 1939, two statues by Ardennes sculptor Victor Demanet—Saint Arnould and Godfrey of Bouillon—were placed at the bridge entrance, inspired by Rome’s Angel Bridge. Sadly, the bridge was bombed months later in WWII. The statues survived but were never returned to the rebuilt bridge. Godfrey now stands behind the castle, and Saint Arnould stands somewhat forlornly at the end of the Quai de la Tannerie.