Pont de Noailles

Pont de Noailles, in the village of Lormaye, Eure-et-Loir, Centre-Val de Loire, France, is an 18th-century stone bridge that has kept watch over a small local stream for more than two and a half centuries.

Where exactly is the bridge?

Lormaye sits in the northern part of Eure-et-Loir, close to Nogent-le-Roi, in a landscape shaped by the open farmland of the Beauce plain and a network of small river valleys. Pont de Noailles spans the Vacheresses stream, just upstream of the point where it joins the Roulebois. You'll find it at 55 Rue de Maintenon, right in the heart of the village.

Who built it, and why does it carry that name?

The bridge takes its name from the Noailles family, whose coat of arms is carved into the stonework. It was commissioned by Adrien-Maurice de Noailles, a Marshal of France who held the title of Count of Nogent-le-Roi in the mid-18th century and oversaw the surrounding lands. The year 1756 is chiselled into one of the arches, which fixes the date of construction with unusual precision for a rural bridge of this size.

What kind of structure is it?

Pont de Noailles is a modest, practical example of 18th-century French road engineering: an arched crossing built from dressed stone, still carrying traffic over the same narrow watercourse it was designed for. Bridges like this one appeared across the Beauce region as roads linking small villages to larger centres such as Nogent-le-Roi and Chartres were upgraded during the period. Its plain, sturdy design is exactly why it has survived largely intact to the present day.

Is it the only historic landmark in Lormaye?

No. Alongside the bridge, the village's other main heritage landmark is the tower of its former church, known locally as Le Pilori. Together the two make for a compact but genuine slice of local history, tucked into a village that otherwise reads as pure Beauce farming country.

Is the bridge a protected monument?

Yes. Pont de Noailles was listed as a French historic monument by decree on 28 December 1984, under reference PA00097136. That designation protects the structure from alterations that would compromise its original character and formally recognises its value as a piece of 18th-century road-building heritage.

How do you get there?

Lormaye is an easy drive from both Chartres and Nogent-le-Roi. Because the bridge sits on a public road in the village centre, it can be viewed freely on foot at any time — a natural short stop if you're already exploring this corner of Eure-et-Loir.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Pont de Noailles built? It was built in 1756, a date carved into the stone of one of its arches.

Why is it called Pont de Noailles? It's named after the Noailles family — Adrien-Maurice de Noailles, a Marshal of France and Count of Nogent-le-Roi at the time, had it built, and the family's coat of arms is carved on the bridge.

What waterway does the bridge cross? It crosses the Vacheresses stream, near where it meets the Roulebois.

Is Pont de Noailles a listed monument? Yes, it was registered as a French historic monument on 28 December 1984, under reference PA00097136.