Jacques Gabriel Bridge

The Jacques Gabriel Bridge has connected Blois’s city center to its left bank ever since the 18th century. It came to replace a medieval bridge that had been largely damaged by the river’s waters, and helped the city keep its status as a river and trade hub. Named after its creator, this architectural feat was built in record time by a team of almost 1,000 men, including 600 soldiers from the Piedmont Infantry Regiment. Its construction played a key role in the city’s urban development, with all the new work done on the waterfront and the roads leading to it. The bridge stands out for its humpback shape and 15-meter-high pyramid, and it’s been listed as a historical monument since 1937. Only three of its original arches remain today. The monument’s durability has been tested time and again over the centuries. In 1944, for example, the Germans decided to blow the whole thing up during their retreat. One last thing; before you go, be sure to turn around and take in the stunning view. You can see all of the city’s famous landmarks.