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the "Pont Julien", roman bridge

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The "Pont Julien" is located in the plain a few kilometers away from Bonnieux. It is an ancient roman bridge, one of the better preserved of the whole roman Gaul. It spans over the river Calavon, a river with an irregular flow, quite dry most of the year, it suddenly increases at the time of rains.

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The Pont Julien's piers are like growing out from the outcroping rocks in the bank of the river. We can imagine them deeply rooted in the chalky soil.

The Pont Julien is on the antique Via Domitia, the main trade road linking Italy to Spain through the south of Gaul. The building of the roman bridge was achieved in the year 3 BC. Its name come from the roman colony Apta Julia, roman name of the city now called Apt, located about 5 miles away eastwards.

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A new modern bridge has been built in 2005 for the passage of the vehicles. But after more than 2000 years of service, the Pont Julien is still used for the visitors, many of them coming by bike, stopping here to admire the perfect arrangement of the blocks and the elegance of the monument Romans gave us in heritage.

© 2008 text - photos VF
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