Viewpoint over the castle

Crossing this bridge gives you a great view of Angers castle, which stands proudly on the city’s left bank. Some of its many towers can be clearly seen from here, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Anjou’s residence overlooking the courtyard. A landmark of the green city, the castle is part of Angers’ rich historical past and testifies to its importance in medieval times. Now, let’s talk about the bridge you’re standing on. Known as the Pont de la Basse Chaîne, it was inaugurated in 1838. However, it suffered a major tragedy 22 years later, when it collapsed under the weight of hundreds of soldiers from the French Army, dragging them violently into the Maine River, amid the storms that were battering the city at the time. This disaster, caused by the violence of the storm and the oxidation of some of the bridge’s cables, resulted in the deaths of more than 200 men, who were commemorated at a funeral attended by President Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte. A new stone bridge was built a few years later to link the Doutre district to the historic centre of Angers. The girder bridge you are standing on replaced it in 1960. After this tragic story, I’ll now let you enjoy the breathtaking view of the castle from the bridge!