Salaire bridge

The Salary Bridge is located in the heart of the marsh and spans the Vertonne River. The original bridge was built in 1758 to replace the Cour de l’Île ferry.

The Salaire Bridge on Île d'Olonne in Vendée was built in 1758 by Lord Julien Gallouin to replace a ferry that had become inadequate and dangerous, facilitating passage to the region's salt marshes. This wooden bridge, supported by cut stone pillars, replaced a paid ferry service used by farmers and salt workers for several centuries. Over the years, the bridge suffered from a state of disrepair, which a property owners' association helped to preserve in the late 19th century, before a major reconstruction was completed in 1935. Further renovations took place in 1980, followed by a complete reconstruction in 2018, which preserved its historic appearance by reusing the original materials.