Agen Suspension Footbridge

While it might not outshine the canal bridge a few meters above to your right, the Agen Suspension Footbridge is one of the quickest and most enjoyable ways to get from the Gravier Promenade to the end of Rue Gambetta. Opened in 1841 and renovated in 2002, it stretches a full 263 meters, offering plenty of time to take in some beautiful views of Agen, both urban and natural. Since we’re here, let’s take a moment to talk about the river this bridge lets us cross. The Garonne stretches for more than 500 kilometers and ranks among the five great rivers of mainland France. Along its path it passes through major cities like Bordeaux, Toulouse, and of course the one that matters most to us today, Agen. The river has always been at the heart of this southern city. For centuries it served as a vital waterway, carrying goods and passengers alike, linking the Mediterranean with the Atlantic Ocean all the way from Antiquity up until the early 19th century. But while water brings countless benefits, it can also bring destruction. Agen knows that only too well. Repeatedly struck by devastating floods, the city had to build ramparts and levees to defend itself against the river’s fury. For a long time Agen quite literally turned its back on the Garonne, but today the bond is being renewed through projects designed to make the riverbanks more inviting. And so “Lady Garonne” has once again become a place where locals and visitors can stroll, relax, and enjoy life by the water.