Airvault - Pont du Vernay

Local legends tell, that the Abbey in Airvault was founded by Audéarde, Viscountess of Thouars, in 991, after she tried to cross the river Thouet here. She was about to drown, when she adressed an ultimate prayer to God, to raise a church here, if her life would be saved.

The "Pont du Vernay" was erected by the monks of the abbey within the 12th century, where a ford had existed. It is 115 meters long, 3,50 meters wide and has served thousends of pilgrims on the "Via Turonensis". The building was probably done in cooperation with specialists sent to the construction site by the House of Plantagenet, as the bridge has specific features, that are typical for medieval English bridges.