The Pont Flavien is a Roman construction on the ancient road between Marseille and Arles, bridging the La Touloubre stream south of Saint-Chamas. The bridge is particularly well preserved and stands quite freely in the landscape. Walking over it, you can feel transported back 2000 years.

Access by public transport

Bus line L6 in the Cartreize network goes from Salon de Provence to Saint-Chamas and arrives at the Guéby Sud stop, which is close to the site. Line 11 of the Ulysse bus network also takes you from Miramas to the Guéby Sud stop. Line 12 (also Ulysse) starts in Istres and takes us to Guéby Nord station, which is still within walking distance of the bridge.

All the information about the connections is available under lepilote.com (only french), you must select the network before entering the line number.

There is also a train to St. Chamas, see TER PACA (only french) for many connections between Marseille and Miramas. Bus 11 has its terminus at the train station, the next station is Guéby Sud.

From both stops, continue on Avenue Henri Barbusse out of town and straight towards the bridge. Before that you have to cross the big roundabout.

Access by car

Saint-Chamas is located north of the Étang de Berre. Coming from Marseille and Marignane, you pass right by the Pont Flavien before reaching Saint-Chamas.

From other directions, such as Istres or Miramas, drive through Saint-Chamas to a roundabout exiting the town

North of the roundabout, this is the first exit coming from Marseille and the fourth coming from Arles, there are a few places in the free short-term parking zone. Oddly, it's missing a permitted parking time, but let's assume it's for an hour.

There is another car park at the roundabout opposite the bridge. Access is from Avenue Henri Barbusse, see the map on this page.

Description

The name of the bridge comes from Claudius Donnius Flavius, who donated money at the time. This is known because the following inscription is engraved on both pillars in colloquial Latin: Claudius Donnius Flavius, son of Claudius, flamen of Rome and Augustus, commanded in his will to build this bridge with these arches, under the direction of C. Donnius Vena and C. Attius Rufus.

It is the only Roman bridge in the world to have preserved its arches.

It served as the main bridge until 1944 when an American truck almost brought down the north arch. This was the end of daily use for almost 2000 years. A temporary bridge was then built and it was replaced in 1955 by the current road bridge.