Photo : Havang(nl) / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Pont du Diable (Saint-Jean-de-Fos)
The Devil's Bridge crosses the Hérault at the entrance of the gorges, between Saint-Jean-de-Fos and Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, in the Hérault. It is about 50 metres long, with two main arches and two openings meant for flood flow. It is presented as one of the oldest medieval bridges in France; its date remains debated: some sources hold the years 1025–1031, at the initiative of the abbeys of Aniane and Gellone, others an older structure, from the ninth century according to recent research. It is protected as a historic monument and is part of the UNESCO property of the Routes of Saint James.
At the foot of the bridge, a laid-out beach lets you swim in the river's clear waters, with supervision in high season. The site is very busy in summer and swimming rules must be respected. Canoeing and paddleboarding are practised there, and a hike links the bridge to Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert.
