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:

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Miscellaneous historic sites in France

User Reviews

D Rickard (6 months 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 (7 months ago)
A little bit out of town. Best to come by car. 5 Min drive of center.

Margitta Hanff Potts (9 months 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 (13 months 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 (3 years ago)
Must see. For Vincenzo Gogh fans.

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