Originally, the Red Bridge was built at the end of the 17th century, namely in the years 1685-1686 on the orders of Louis XIV as part of his vast project to build the Maintenon aqueduct entrusted to La Hire and Vauban. The goal of this project was to be able to transport the waters of the Eure from Pontgouin (located west of Maintenon) to the Palace of Versailles. It was from 1684 that studies were carried out by La Hire who discovered that the Eure was approximately 80 feet (27 m) higher than the castle at Pontgouin.
Maintenon was still to this day an intermittent residence of the king's court, and major work was undertaken, such as the digging of the grand canal passing under the aqueduct, the planting of the banks or the drawing of the castle park by Le Nôtre. .
You should know that until 1838, it is by this bridge that the entry into Maintenon was made. The legend attributes its name to the color of the uniform of the soldiers in charge of its guard.