Langlois Bridge, Arles, France

Langlois Bridge was a drawbridge in Arles, which was the subject of several paintings by Vincent van Gogh in 1888. Being one of eleven drawbridges built by a Dutch engineer along the channel from Arles to Port-de-Bouc, this bridge might have reminded the artist of his homeland.

New canals were opened up in southern France as they were needed to expand the network of canals. In the 19th century a canal was built from Arles to Bouc, located on the Mediterranean sea. Locks and bridges were built, too, to manage water and road traffic.

In 1930, the original drawbridge was replaced by a reinforced concrete structure which, in 1944, was blown up by the retreating Germans who destroyed all the other bridges along the canal except for the one at Fos. The Fos Bridge was dismatled in 1959 with a view to relocating it on the site of the Langlois Bridge but as a result of structural difficulties, it was finally reassembled at Montcalde Lock several kilometers away from the original site.

A reconstructed bridge of the Langlois Bridge, named Pont Van Gogh (Van Gogh bridge), recognizing the works that Van Gogh made of the bridge, is owned by the Arles tourist board.

Vincent van Gogh made several paintings, a watercolor and drawings of the Langlois bridge in a series now titled Langlois Bridge at Arles.

References:

Wikipedia

Miscellaneous historic sites in France

User Reviews

D Rickard (2 years ago)
The bridge is nicely preserved, repaired. Sadly the Van Gough copy has chips out of it. It would be nice if this troubled artist could see the effection the world now has for his work.

BUSINESS COACHING Christian Kranich (2 years ago)
A little bit out of town. Best to come by car. 5 Min drive of center.

Margitta Hanff Potts (2 years ago)
I walked to the bridge from the center of Arles. Lovely walk along a canal. So glad they kept Van Gough’s little bridge for us art lovers.

Jochen Ickert (2 years ago)
It is the original place painted by Vincent Van Gogh. You can follow His traces all over Region, as you can find notice board s at many places he painted. So also in Tarascon, arrival of Stage Coach (Just at Theater at Southern Gate) or at Yellow House at Northern edge of Arles old City Well preserved, and well sign-posted, either by road and by ViaRhona bicycle Route. Also access by 3 Bus lines, I Just got No. 6 and 10. There is a beaufiful Graffiti Just near the Bridge. I added the Photo, as real fine Graffiti Art should be welcomed.

Tulen Gronsky (4 years ago)
Must see. For Vincenzo Gogh fans.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

Langlois Bridge

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater