Here stands the Pont Morand. Its story echoes through Lyon’s past. The Pont Morand connects the 1st and 6th arrondissements. This bridge is not the first one here. Four predecessors stood where it stands.
Let’s rewind to 1774. Jean-Antoine Morand, an architect, built the first bridge here. It was made of wood. Only one other bridge crossed the Rhone back then. The Pont Morand was quite long at 208 meters. It was also 12 meters wide. Over time, it had many names. It was once called Pont Saint-Clair. People also knew it as Pont Rouge or Pont de Bois. During the revolution, it was briefly named Pont Affranchi. Later it became Pont des Victoires. Finally, it was named Pont Morand around 1810.
But the wooden bridge did not last. In 1825, it collapsed. A temporary “flying bridge” replaced it during reconstruction. This replacement bridge was an interesting solution. In 1854, the rebuilt bridge withstood a major flood. It blocked debris from another bridge.
The Pont Morand also played a role in Lyon’s history. In 1831, the Canut revolt saw fierce fighting here. Workers battled soldiers for control of the city. The workers gained ground and seized weapons.
By the 1880s, the second bridge was falling apart. It had to be closed. In 1886, it was replaced. A new metal bridge was built. It rested on masonry pillars. This bridge was longer measuring 214.50 meters. It had a wider road and sidewalks.
During World War II, disaster struck. In 1944, the Germans destroyed the central arch. A temporary wooden bridge was built to keep traffic flowing. It was called the Pont du Batiment. The rebuilt Pont Morand finally reopened.
The third bridge was demolished in 1974. This was part of the metro construction. In 1976, the current concrete Pont Morand was inaugurated. It was intended to be one of two twin bridges. The second bridge was never built.
Today’s Pont Morand is 187 meters long. The metro Line A runs inside it. Cars and pedestrians travel on the surface. The road is 15.50 meters wide. The sidewalks are 2 meters wide.
So the Pont Morand is more than concrete. It carries Lyon’s history within it. It has witnessed revolution, war and progress. It is a testament to Lyon’s resilience. It is a vital link in the city.