Pont Wilson (Tours)

Pont Wilson, in Tours, is the oldest bridge in the city and one of the defining views along the Loire. Locals still call it the Pont de Pierre, the Stone Bridge, a nickname that has outlasted its official name.

When was the Pont Wilson built?

Construction began in 1765, with the foundation stone for the northern abutment laid on 25 October of that year. The work took over a decade and was finished in the late 1770s. The new crossing replaced the medieval Pont d'Eudes, a structure dating back to the 11th century that had been repeatedly damaged by floods and centuries of makeshift repairs.

Building the bridge came at a cost. To raise the level of the southern bank, engineers had to fill in an island in the Loire, the Île Saint-Jacques, home to hundreds of families of washerwomen and fishermen. The residents were forcibly evicted, an episode still remembered as one of the darker chapters of the project.

Where does the name Pont Wilson come from?

The bridge took its current name in 1918, honoring Woodrow Wilson, the American president whose country backed France in the final phase of the First World War. Before that it was known under earlier, more topographical names. Despite the official title, everyday usage in Tours still leans toward Pont de Pierre.

The structure has fifteen arches and stretches roughly 434 metres across the river, making it one of the longer stone crossings on the Loire in the Indre-et-Loire region.

What happened to the bridge in 1978?

Early in the morning of 9 April 1978, one of the bridge's piers and two adjoining arches suddenly gave way. Close to a third of the structure collapsed into the river. The consequences went beyond traffic disruption: the bridge carried a major water main, and the collapse cut off running water for tens of thousands of residents across Tours.

The event is still recalled in the city as one of the most dramatic moments of its postwar history, and local archives and media regularly revisit the anniversary.

How was the bridge rebuilt?

Residents of Tours voted to rebuild the bridge in its historic stone form, while reinforcing the section that had survived intact. Reconstruction work began in August 1980, and the bridge reopened to traffic on 18 September 1982, four and a half years after the collapse.

Today the Pont Wilson serves both a practical and a symbolic role, offering one of the classic postcard views of Tours, framed by the old town, the cathedral, and the Loire's quays.

Why visit the Pont Wilson?

The bridge is a prime vantage point over Tours and the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. Walking its stone footway gives a river-level perspective on the city, and in the evening, once the lighting comes on, the bridge becomes one of the most photogenic spots in town.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is the Pont Wilson? Construction started in 1765, making it the oldest bridge in Tours at over 250 years old.

Why is it called Pont Wilson? It was named in 1918 after US President Woodrow Wilson, in recognition of American support for France during the First World War.

Did the bridge really collapse? Yes. On 9 April 1978, roughly a third of the structure collapsed. It was rebuilt in its historic form and reopened in 1982.

How long is the Pont Wilson? The bridge is about 434 metres long and has fifteen stone arches.