On February 12th 1833, Louis Philippe, King of France,signed a decree authorising the construction of a suspended footbridge (passerelle) over the River Guindy, to replace the existing horse-drawn ferry-boat.
This footbridge, opened in 1834, improved the safety of the crossing but also undermined the ferry that was managed by the Cordeliers of Saint Françis in the monastery on the opposite bank. The toll intended to cover the cost of construction and maintenance was suppressed in 1873 when the Conseil Général of the Département bought this bridge and also the Pont de Canada which was built at the same time.
After a third bridge, the Pont Noir, was built in 1892, the demolition of the footbridge was proposed, but this 2 metre wide, 50 metre long footbridge was saved thanks to the persistence of local people and the municipalities of Tréguier and Plouguiel which are linked by the bridge.
The future of the bridge was again threatened in 2004 when it was closed for safety reasons and its demolition was again proposed. However, thanks to the tenacity of the two municipalities and the local people it was completely rebuilt and reopened in May 2013. I was very happy to be able to cross over for the first time instead of settling for photographing the condemned structure! Incidentally, the cottage on the left with the turquoise shutters is the original Toll House for the bridge.
Earlier in the day, whilst walking with Mitzi, I met a lady of a certain age heading, like me, towards the bridge. We walked together and she told me that she was going to open the Toll House. It's remarkable how interesting people I meet just by saying 'Bonjour'.
@s4sayer I sometimes think it is easier to talk to complete strangers because you have no fear of what they might think of you as you will never see them again. And being rid of the fear you find some fascinating people.
