Bridge over the Semois

This bridge over the Semois should not be confused with the Pont Saint-Lambert which is an emblem of Vresse-sur-Semois

The origin of that bridge goes back to the beginning of time. The bridge you are crossing today, over the Petit-Fays stream, was built in 1774 by the church council of Vresse, following another bridge that had been swept away by the ice last winter. It led on the right bank to a ford that gave access to Laforêt. In the past, this made it easier for the pastor of Vresse to exercise his priestly office in Laforêt, for which he was also responsible. This is probably why the Fabrique d'Église intervened in the construction of this bridge.

This bridge has given rise to a very curious, but nevertheless sympathetic legend. Logical in this Ardennes where legends crowd like the ripples of the brook on its three arches. Why is the bridge so narrow that only pedestrians and horsemen can cross it? Let yourself be carried away by the story that is still told in the houses...

At the time of the Christianization of the region, Saint Lambertus spread his faith in Vresse, while Saint Agathe did the same in Laforêt. Saint Lambert, jealous of his neighbor, came up with the idea of forbidding his rival from entering his village. At that time, the spread of faith was not necessarily shared!

Saint Lambert, who traveled alone on foot or on horseback, and Saint Agatha, who traveled alone by car, had a bridge built so narrow that her colleague and competitor could not come and preach the good word in her territory.

Legend is often more beautiful than history!

From this Pont Saint-Lambert, you can see a tobacco drying plant.

Willem Vandenameele