Transporter bridge at Rochefort

What is a transporter bridge?

A bridge used to transport people or materials. in a suspended gondola.

Qhat is the history of Rochefort's Transbordeur bridge?

The Rochefort transporter bridge has been a listed historic monument since 1976. It was built to replace the existing ferry, which was unable to operate under all conditions - particularly low tide, based on an idea by Ferdinand ArnodinThe viaduct was built on the Charente River and put into service in 1900. It operated from 1900 to 1967, then was replaced by a lift bridge which operated for just a few years, and was finally replaced by the Charente estuary viaduct.

Since 1994, the bridge is back in service for pedestrians and cyclistsThe renovation work, which lasted from 2016 to 2020, has just been completed.

How many transporter bridges are there in the world?

• Today, there are 8 transporter bridges in service around the world:
• The Rochefort transporter bridge and Echillais, France;
• The Osten Transporter Bridge - Hemmoor , Germany;
• The Bizkaia Transporter Bridge, Bilbao, Spain;
• The Vizcaya ferry bridge was built between 1888 and 1893, linking the towns of Portugalete and Getxo, in Bilbao, Spain. It is the largest transporter bridge in the world. The bridge was built by Alberto de Palacio and Fernand Arnodin. It was inaugurated by Queen Chrsitine in 1893.
• Middlesbrough Ferry Bridge United Kingdom;
• Newport Ferry Bridge United Kingdom.
• The Newport Transporter Bridge is a bridge located on the River Usk, in Wales, in the town of Newport. It was built in 1906 by engineer Haynes. The 74-meter-high pylons allow boats with masts over 54 meters to pass.
• Rendsburg Ferry Bridge - Osterrönfeld , Germany,
• La Boca Ferry Bridge Buenos Aires, Argentina,
• Warrington Ferry BridgeUnited Kingdom.

To find out more about the history of the Pont Transbordeur, you can visit the Maison du Transbordeur free of charge.

Not far away is theHermione, and the corderie royale in Rochefortnot to be missed!

Other transporter bridges around the world (in detail)

The Osten Transporter Bridgemajestically towering above the Elbe in the charming German town of Osten, embodies both the region's technical ingenuity and its historical heritage.

Designed by engineer Friedrich Voss and completed in 1911, this transporter bridge remains one of the last of its kind in Europe, offering pedestrians and vehicles a unique means of crossing the river while allowing ships to pass beneath. With its suspended gondola, capable of carrying up to 20 people or several light vehicles, the Osten transporter bridge offers a captivating experience for visitors, enabling them to enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Elbe and surrounding countryside.

A living testimony to the industrial ingenuity of the early 20th century, this transporter bridge remains an emblematic symbol of Germany's architectural and technological heritage, reminding us of the historic importance of innovation in the development of Europe's transport infrastructure.

The Bizkaia Transporter Bridgelocated in Portugalete and Las Arenas, Spain, represents a feat of engineering from the early 20th century.

Inaugurated in 1893, it was the world's first transporter bridge, and today remains one of the few examples still in service. Designed by engineer Alberto de Palacio, a disciple of Gustave Eiffel, the bridge is a marvel of metal architecture, with its steel structure and suspended gondola.

Allowing the passage of pedestrians and vehicles while leaving the river Nervion clear for ships, the Bizkaia Transporter Bridge offers a unique and spectacular experience for visitors, who can cross the river 45 meters above the water.

Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006, this transporter bridge remains an emblematic symbol of the Basque region's architectural genius and industrial history, attracting thousands of visitors every year to admire its beauty and ingenious operation.

Middlesbrough Ferry BridgeThe Tees Transporter Bridge, also known as the Tees Transporter Bridge, is an iconic landmark in the north-east of England, spanning the River Tees.

Designed by French engineer Ferdinand Arnodin and completed in 1911, this transporter bridge is one of the largest in the world and the only one still in operation in the UK. With its suspended gondola, capable of carrying up to 200 people and vehicles, the Tees Transporter Bridge offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area and provides a vital link between Middlesbrough and Port Clarence.

Listed as a Grade II* British Cultural Heritage site, this ferry bridge is not only a remarkable example of industrial engineering, but also a symbol of the region's history and heritage, attracting visitors from all over the world to discover its fascinating operation and impressive architecture.

Newport Ferry Bridgelocated above the River Usk in the Welsh town of Newport, embodies the ingenuity and industrial history of the region.

Built between 1902 and 1906, this transporter bridge is one of the few examples of this type of structure still in operation in the world. Designed by French engineer Ferdinand Arnodin, the Newport Transporter Bridge is distinguished by its suspended gondola, capable of transporting pedestrians and vehicles from one bank to the other.

With its panoramic views over the surrounding urban and river landscape, this transporter bridge has become a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors a unique and memorable experience. Witness to the golden age of industry and transport in the early 20th century, the Newport Ferry Bridge remains an iconic symbol of Wales' architectural and technological heritage.

Rendsburg Ferry Bridgerising majestically above the Kiel Canal in the German town of Rendsburg, is a feat of engineering and a historical treasure of the Schleswig-Holstein region.

Designed by German engineer Friedrich Voss and completed in 1913, this transporter bridge is the longest in the world, spanning 140 meters. Its unique design, featuring a suspended gondola capable of carrying up to 6 cars and 60 passengers, makes it an outstanding example of technical ingenuity and efficiency in river transport.

Listed as a historic monument since 1992, the Rendsburg Ferry Bridge continues to fascinate visitors from all over the world, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and testifying to the ingenuity and know-how of German engineers at the beginning of the 20th century.

La Boca Ferry Bridgelocated in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is an emblematic icon of the region's engineering and historical heritage. Built between 1931 and 1933, this transporter bridge was one of the first of its kind in South America, and today remains one of the few examples still in service.

Designed by Italian engineer Luigi Cominelli, the La Boca transporter bridge offers a breathtaking view of the lively La Boca district and the Matanza-Riachuelo river. With its suspended gondola capable of carrying up to 25 people, the La Boca Transporter Bridge is not only a means of crossing the river, but also a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors a unique and memorable experience. Witness to the industrial and maritime history of Buenos Aires, this transporter bridge remains an emblematic symbol of human ingenuity and Argentina's remarkable architecture.

Warrington Ferry Bridgelocated in the north-west of England, majestically spans the River Mersey, marking the urban landscape of the town of Warrington.

Built between 1913 and 1915, this transporter bridge is one of the few examples of this type of structure still in use in the UK. Designed by English engineer William Henry Hunter and built by the construction company William Arrol & Co. the ferry bridge stands out for its innovative design, which allows pedestrians and vehicles to cross the river while providing free passage for the ships below.

With its suspended gondola capable of carrying up to 12 cars and 200 passengers, Warrington's Transporter Bridge has become a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors spectacular panoramic views of the River Mersey and surrounding area. A testament to human ingenuity and the region's industrial heritage, this ferry bridge remains an iconic symbol of Warrington's history and heritage.

To find out more...

What is a transporter bridge?

A transporter bridge, often referred to as a "ferry bridge", is a civil engineering structure designed to cross a body of water, such as a river or harbor, while allowing the passage of vessels below. This type of bridge is characterized by a platform suspended by cables or metal beams, which can move laterally along a fixed overhead track, called a span or gantry. The central element of the transporter bridge is the gondola, which acts like a horizontal elevator, allowing vehicles or pedestrians to cross the water from one side to the other. When a ship needs to pass, the gondola is moved to a lateral position, allowing the vessel to navigate freely below. This ingenious design eliminates the need to build elevated or mobile bridging structures, while ensuring continuous passage for marine navigation. Ferry bridges were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, offering a practical and economical solution for crossing waterways while maintaining marine traffic. Although many historic transporter bridges have been replaced by conventional bridges or tunnels, some are still in service today, testifying to the ingenuity and durability of this unique civil engineering concept.

Ferdinand Arnodin and the Tranbordeur bridge at Rochefort

Ferdinand Arnodin, a 19th-century French engineer and entrepreneur, remains famous for his remarkable contributions to suspension bridges and shipping. Born on May 9, 1845 in Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon, Arnodin left his mark on Rochefort's history thanks to his ingenuity and innovative spirit. His reputation was cemented by the construction of Rochefort's famous transporter bridge, a feat of engineering at the time. Built between 1898 and 1900, this unique suspension bridge was designed to facilitate the passage of warships and goods across the Charente, without disrupting river traffic. Arnodin's innovative design enabled the transporter bridge to become an emblematic symbol of Rochefort, contributing to its economic development and international renown. In addition to his landmark achievements in bridges, Ferdinand Arnodin also played a crucial role in the development of maritime transport, designing ingenious solutions for loading and unloading ships. His legacy lives on in the structures he designed and the innovations he introduced, testifying to his creative genius and enduring influence on engineering and shipbuilding. Ferdinand Arnodin thus remains a key figure in Rochefort's history, whose achievements continue to inspire future generations of engineers and entrepreneurs.

What to do near the Rochefort transporter bridge?

Discover Rochefort

Rochefort or Rochefort-sur-mer is one of Charente-Maritime's main towns, known for its harbor, the Corderie Royale, its suspension bridge and the replica of the Hermione. It's a town of art and history, less than 30 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and beaches. The town is also famous for its thermal baths, and lies in a loop of the Charente river.

You can enjoy its typical old town center, around which it's easy to radiate and visit the other districts. It's a peaceful town, with architecture and history around every corner.

The Royal Rope Factory at Rochefort

The Royal Rope Factory at Rochefort is a large museum located in the buildings of the former Rochefort arsenal, on the banks of the Charente, not far from the historic center. There are several areas to visit, with temporary and permanent exhibitions, often relating to the maritime history and rich past of the town of Rochefort.

The corderie is the largest building in the arsenal (374 meters long), and was used to make hemp ropes. The building dates back to 1666 and is now listed as a historic monument. 

The location of the building - near the river Charente, on muddy ground - meant that the site had to be prepared by laying a foundation of oak squares, making it a sort of 'floating raft'. Construction lasted over 3 years and involved more than 700 workers.

The Hermione fregate in Rochefort

The Fregate L'Hermione in RochefortWhat is it? It's a replica of a French warship of the same name, a three-masted frigate built at the Rochefort arsenal. It is the result of a project launched in 1997 and completed in 2014, the aim of which was to build an identical replica of the original frigate. It is possible to visit the Hermione, which is located near the Corderie Royale in Rochefort.

The ship is made up of over 400,000 pieces of wood, and sails with over 2,000 m² of sails.

What to see and do in the Rochefort Ferry Bridge area?

Discover the Cordouan lighthouse in Royan

Cordouan Lighthouse in Royan is a lighthouse located at the mouth of the Gironde estuary, on the Atlantic Ocean, in the Charente Maritime region, opposite the Côte de Beauté, the Côte Sauvage and the Pointe de Grave. It is the oldest lighthouse in France still in operation, and belongs to the French government, which delegates its upkeep and maintenance.

It is located on the Cordouan rocks - the Cordouan rocky plateau, more than 6 kilometers from the coast, in the commune of Verdon sur Mer, in the Gironde department. Today, it stands 68 m high, with a diameter of 16 m, and is one of the ten tallest lighthouses in the world. It is white in color, built from the limestone found in Saintonge and along the Charente coast.

Discover the Abbaye aux Dames in Saintes

L'abbaye aux dames a Saintes is a former abbey located in Saintes, Charente Maritime, on the right bank of the Charente, not far from the Arc de Germanicus and the tourist office. An abbey - from the Latin "abbatia" - is a Catholic monastery run by an abbot or abbess, with monks or nuns.

It's easy to get to the abbey from downtown Saintes, either on foot or by bus, or even by bike or car, via rue Gautier, rue Sainte Claire and rue Pont-Amilion. Free parking is available on rue Geoffroy Martel.

 It's possible to visit the park and surrounding buildings free of charge at any time. It is also possible to buy a ticket for a guided tour (audioguide) from 9 euros (in 2022).[

Rochefort or Rochefort-sur-mer is one of Charente-Maritime's main towns, known for its harbor, the Corderie Royale, and in recent years for the replica of the Hermione.

Discover the region