About this place
Pont de la Caille, straddling Allonzier-la-Caille and Cruseilles in Haute-Savoie, is one of the most striking roadside sights on the route between Annecy and Geneva. Two bridges hang side by side over the gorge of the Usses river: the older pedestrian suspension bridge, Pont Charles-Albert, and the newer road bridge, Pont Caquot, which now carries traffic. Seen together from the parking area, the contrast between a 19th-century suspension structure and a 20th-century concrete arch is immediately obvious.
What is the Pont Charles-Albert?
Pont Charles-Albert is a suspension bridge commissioned by Charles-Albert, Duke of Savoy and King of Sardinia, whose name it carries. It opened on 11 July 1839, replacing an older Roman-era crossing known as the Vieux Pont, remnants of which can still be seen nearby. Since 6 May 1966, the bridge has been listed as a French historic monument (monument historique).
Today the bridge is reserved for pedestrians only. It measures roughly 180 metres in length, and its towers rise to a height of around 147 metres above the floor of the Usses gorge, making it one of the highest structures of its kind in Europe — often described locally as the last great suspension bridge of its era still standing on the continent.
Why is there a second bridge next to it?
As road traffic grew heavier through the 20th century, the original suspension bridge could no longer handle vehicle loads, so a second structure, the Pont Caquot, was built to carry road traffic on the D1201 departmental road. The two bridges now stand parallel over the same gorge, letting visitors take in two very different eras of bridge engineering from a single viewpoint.
What can you see on site?
The main draw is the view from the pedestrian bridge down into the Usses gorge, a deep rocky ravine that once housed the Bains de la Caille, baths known since Roman times. Walking across Pont Charles-Albert gives visitors a clear look both down into the gorge and across to the neighboring road bridge, with traffic passing in the distance. The site is a popular stop for travelers passing through, since it sits only a short drive from Annecy.
How to get there and where to stop?
The bridges sit on the boundary between the villages of Allonzier-la-Caille and Cruseilles, right on the D1201 road connecting Annecy and Geneva. A car park next to the bridge leads to a short walk to the viewpoint and onto the pedestrian bridge itself. It's a practical stop for anyone driving between Annecy and Geneva, or exploring the Lake Annecy area and looking for a striking viewpoint that doesn't require a long detour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drive across the Pont de la Caille? No — the suspension bridge, Pont Charles-Albert, is pedestrian-only today. Road traffic uses the neighboring Pont Caquot instead.
How high above the gorge is the bridge? The bridge towers rise to roughly 147 metres above the floor of the Usses gorge.
When was the bridge built, and where does its name come from? It opened in 1839. The name Pont Charles-Albert refers to Charles-Albert, Duke of Savoy and King of Sardinia, who commissioned it.
How far is it from Annecy? Pont de la Caille sits on the D1201 road, a short drive from Annecy toward Geneva.
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