Vieux-Pont

Vieux-Pont in Moûtiers is the oldest bridge in town, spanning the Isère river right at the heart of the historic centre of this former episcopal capital of the Tarentaise valley in Savoie.

What is the history behind the bridge?

A crossing has stood on this spot since Roman times, when Moûtiers was known as Darantasia and sat on the route linking Milan to Vienne. The current structure, also called Pont Saint-Pierre, dates from 1785 — built after a string of earlier bridges here were repeatedly wrecked by flooding on the Isère, especially through the 18th century. The river destroyed one predecessor after another before a lasting crossing finally took hold on the site. Since 1980, Vieux-Pont has been listed as a Historic Monument of France, recognising its role as a living witness to the town's centuries of continuous settlement.

What should visitors look for at the bridge?

Beneath its arches survives a distinctive passage known as the "barrioz". Washerwomen once used it to reach the riverbed directly and launder clothes in the Isère's waters. Each evening the passage was sealed off with barriers to keep the riverbank from becoming an unguarded entry point into town — the origin of its name. Today the bridge and the stretch of old town beside it form one of the stops on the historic centre's walking route, where centuries-old urban infrastructure sits comfortably alongside everyday town life.

Why does Moûtiers carry so much history?

After subduing the Celtic-Ligurian Ceutrones people around 15 BC, the Romans turned Darantasia into a key staging post on the trade route from Milan to Vienne and made it capital of the Alpes Graies province. In the Middle Ages, a "Monasterium" — the combined cathedral, archbishop's palace and cloister — rose on the ruins of the Roman town, giving Moûtiers its present name. From the 11th century onward, the town served as capital of Tarentaise and seat of the archbishopric, cementing its role as the valley's administrative and religious centre for centuries to come.

How do you get to Vieux-Pont and what's nearby?

The bridge sits right in the middle of historic Moûtiers, a town regarded as the gateway to the Tarentaise valley and its surrounding ski resorts, including the Les Trois Vallées area. A stroll through the old town, which crosses Vieux-Pont along the way, traces the layers of the site's past — from Roman Darantasia, through the medieval Monasterium, to today's lively town that serves year-round Alpine tourism.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Vieux-Pont in Moûtiers? A crossing has stood on this site since Roman times, though the current structure — also known as Pont Saint-Pierre — dates from 1785.

Is Vieux-Pont a protected monument? Yes, the bridge has been listed as a Historic Monument of France since 1980.

Why is the bridge called "Vieux-Pont" ("Old Bridge")? The name reflects its status as the town's oldest crossing point — a bridge has stood on this exact spot without interruption since Roman times, even though the structure itself has been rebuilt many times after flood damage.

What is the "barrioz" beneath the bridge? It's a historic passage under the bridge that washerwomen once used to reach the river to do laundry. It was closed off with barriers each evening to keep the town secure from the riverside.