Pont du Coq

Pont du Coq is a stone bridge spanning the Lévanza river in La Brigue, in the Alpes-Maritimes department, deep in the Roya valley just a few kilometres from the Italian border. Its broken, humpbacked silhouette and its origins dating back to the 15th century make it one of the village's most recognisable landmarks.

Where does the bridge's name come from?

The name "Coq" (rooster) comes from a local legend about a pact with the devil. According to the story, the bridge's builder struck a deal with the devil: if the devil could finish the crossing before dawn, he would claim the mason's soul in return. As the work neared completion just before sunrise, the builder's mother lit a torch inside her henhouse, tricking the rooster into crowing too early. Believing morning had already broken, the devil fled, leaving the bridge unfinished — which is said to explain its unusual, angled shape.

How has the bridge survived for centuries?

The original 15th-century structure did not survive intact: a flood swept it away in the early 18th century. It was rebuilt in 1710 by the Cometto family, stonemasons from Lugano who worked on similar stone crossings across the region. Further repairs, driven by recurring floods, followed in 1837, 1843 and 1906. The bridge was listed as a French historic monument on 3 November 1987, formally recognising its heritage value.

Why did the bridge become a symbol of ties with Monaco?

In September 2020, Storm Alex devastated the Roya valley and neighbouring valleys, severely damaging the bridge's structure. Restoration took several years and was carried out with support from the Principality of Monaco. On 30 September 2024, Prince Albert II of Monaco officially inaugurated the renovated Pont du Coq, underscoring the close ties between Monaco and the mountain communities of the Alpes-Maritimes hit by the disaster.

What can visitors see today?

Today the Pont du Coq serves as a pedestrian bridge and remains one of the emblems of La Brigue, a monument its residents hold dear. Its irregular, arched span over the narrow bed of the Lévanza forms a scenic backdrop for a walk through the village's old quarter, within easy reach of both the Italian border and the other landmarks of the Roya valley — a region known for its baroque religious architecture and mountain scenery straddling France and Italy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is the Pont du Coq? The bridge dates back to the 15th century, though the structure standing today results from a 1710 rebuild after a flood destroyed the original in the early 18th century.

Why is the bridge called "Coq" (rooster)? The name comes from a legend about a pact with the devil — a rooster's crow, triggered by the builder's mother's trick, was said to have driven the devil away before he could finish the crossing.

Can visitors walk across the bridge today? Yes, the Pont du Coq is a publicly accessible pedestrian bridge, listed as a French historic monument since 1987.

What happened to the bridge in 2020? Storm Alex severely damaged it; the bridge was restored with support from the Principality of Monaco and reopened in 2024, an event marked by Prince Albert II's inauguration.