One of the main attractions of the historic Petite France district in Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin), the swing bridge, will soon undergo a major renovation. But the City assures that the hypothesis of its destruction, and its replacement by a fixed bridge, is not favored.
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It is a small bridge dear to the hearts of Strasbourg residents, and a real attraction for tourists. A place where everyone, unless they are in a particularly hurry, is happy to waste a few precious minutes. For the pleasure of observing its slow rotating movement, which offers a bit of the feeling of going back in time.
Strasbourg’s swing bridge, called the Faisan Bridge (“Fàsànebrùck” in Alsatian), is located a few steps from the famous Maison des Tanneurs, in the heart of the historic Petite France district. Innocuous in appearance when closed, it connects rue des Moulins to the picturesque rue du Bain-aux-Plantes.
But regularly, it happens to suddenly leave pedestrians and bicycles stranded. Stopped in their tracks by a chain which prevents them from taking a step into the void, towards the waters of the River Ill below.
In fact, mainly during the summer months, this structure of wood and metal is required to move aside to let the riverboats pass. It therefore quietly turns a quarter of a turn, thanks to the cranks operated by municipal agents, before peacefully making the opposite movement and returning to its initial place.
-But recently, local media suggested that this work of art, so popular with tourists, could soon be replaced by a fixed model, more accessible to cyclists and people with reduced mobility. Of the “wrong information” according to a press release published on January 22 by the City of Strasbourg.
The municipality recognizes that “the current state of the aging structure”, renovated in 1999, and which underwent maintenance work last November, “effectively raises the question of restoration or reconstruction to ensure its continuity.”
But according to the press release, “the City and Voies navigables de France (VNF) are holding discussions” in order to find “a sustainable solution which will preserve the historic and picturesque character of the place” while ensuring comfortable crossing “for all users.”
Among the three scenarios considered, that of “the destruction and reconstruction of a new fixed structure” compatible with the passage of users, just like boats, would not be “not privileged” the press release further assures.
The two other possibilities would be either a restoration of the bridge to preserve its current functioning, or a complete renovation “with an automated system (…) without the intervention of agents.”
Bridge lovers should therefore be reassured. In the future, they should be able to continue to see it run, as it always has. Always ? Actually, not really.
Because in its current form, equipped with a hydraulic operating device, the Faisan bridge only dates back to 1888. Its twenty years older was a drawbridge installed in 1869 which, itself, replaced a first movable bridge of 1854. And previously, there was only a simple wooden bridge, documented since the 14th century.
