Pont du Diable (Thueyts)

The Devil’s Bridge at Thueyts is an arch built of basalt stone across the Ardèche.

A famous devil’s bridge

More than ten metres high, the Devil’s Bridge is an arch built of basalt stones that crosses the Ardèche. Located in the commune of Tuyets, just a stone’s throw from the town of Bourg, this is an interesting diversions when exploring the Ardèche. Swimming and hiking await you in a superb setting. In particular, you can follow the paths along the banks of the river Ardèche. If you have the right equipment and supervision, you can cross the river by zip-line.

The legend of the Devil’s Bridge

Legend has it that “Le Pont du Diable” was built by the Devil himself. It was built at the request of the daughters of Tuyets, a structure that the men were unable to build due to the difficulty of the task. Thanks to this bridge, on the other side of the river, men and women could indulge in their lovemaking freely, out of sight. There are more than 80 bridges in France bearing the name “Pont du Diable” (Devil’s Bridge). Most of them tell a similar story. Bridges regularly washed away by flooding rivers. The Devil offers to build a lasting bridge in exchange for the first soul to cross it. As according to church doctrine at the time, women did not have souls, it is said that in some places, men tricked the Devil by letting a cat or a donkey cross the bridge.

Thueyts, a village of character

Thueyts is a village of character nestling in the mountains of the Ardèche, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The “village de caractère” label is awarded to French villages that stand out for their architectural heritage and unspoilt natural setting. In Thueyts, this character is evident in a number of ways. The village has a well-preserved historic centre, with typical Ardèche stone houses. The narrow streets and vaulted passageways invite you to discover its medieval past. The 12th-century Romanesque church dedicated to Saint-Paul is also an architectural gem to be discovered.