Ancient Roman bridge hidden under Sommières

At Sommières, along the Vidourle River, a Roman bridge nearly 200 meters long is largely hidden beneath the city itself. Houses inhabited since the Middle Ages rest directly on its ancient arches, and most visitors pass over it without even realizing it.

Bridge's historical significance

Built in the first century of the common era, the Roman bridge of Sommières allowed the road connecting Nîmes to Toulouse, via Lodève, to cross the Vidourle. The structure originally had at least 21 arches, for a length approaching 200 meters. It is often mistakenly called the Tibère bridge, even though recent archaeological research has nuanced this direct attribution to the emperor.

Visible and hidden parts of the bridge

From the banks of the Vidourle, only seven arches of the bridge remain visible. For those discovering Sommières without prior knowledge, the structure resembles a simple city bridge among others. At first glance, nothing indicates that it is actually an ancient infrastructure much more imposing, much of which disappeared beneath the urban fabric starting in the 13th century.

Integration of ancient arches into modern structures

The other arches of the bridge were not destroyed, they were simply integrated into the buildings over the centuries. The ancient arches are now used as cellars, former stables, workshops, or garages for the houses built directly above. One arch has, however, been preserved in its original state, on the rue de la Grave, offering a rare direct view of the Roman structure as it existed before being covered.

Walking tour of the bridge

To understand this transformation, it is better to walk rather than drive over the bridge. Start from the banks of the Vidourle, where the seven visible arches give a measure of the ancient structure. Then walk up the rue du Faubourg-du-Pont, where several arches are sleeping under the houses that line it, before reaching the rue Marx-Dormoy.

Protection and historical classification

The Roman bridge of Sommières is classified as a historic monument, and its protection has even been strengthened by a decree of March 6, 2025, which now explicitly covers the houses built on the arches, along the rue du Faubourg-du-Pont, the rue Marx-Dormoy, and the place Jean-Jaurès. Inhabited without interruption since the Middle Ages, it ranks among the few inhabited bridges in Europe, alongside the famous Ponte Vecchio in Florence.

A unique historical experience

A few kilometers from Nîmes and Montpellier, this Gardoise curiosity is well worth the detour, just for this particular feeling of walking, without realizing it, over nearly two thousand years of history. Next time you cross Sommières, take the time to slow down: beneath your feet, or just behind a stone facade, the Vidourle and the Romans may not have finished surprising you.