Fourques lies where the Grand RhĂ´ne and Petit RhĂ´ne branch apart, at the point where the Camargue Delta begins. The river landscape, cycling routes and local history offer different focuses for your stay: a cycle route passes through wetlands and ponds, while the bridge, church, memorial sites and historic buildings reflect different chapters of the past. When choosing a destination, you can consider whether Fourques appeals to you primarily for its landscape or its history.
Bridge History and Local History
The Pont suspendu de Fourques was put into service on 1 April 1830, following a bridge project by engineer Marc Séguin. The Pont de Fourques has been listed and protected as a “Monument historique” since 1988. The two dates mark different milestones: 1830 for the bridge’s opening and 1988 for the start of its protected status. At the corner of Les Lices and the Vieux Pont, the Rhônomètre shows how dike heights have changed since the 12th century. This long time span adds a perspective on changes in dike heights over many centuries to the history of the bridge.
Other places and objects offer their own perspectives. The church in Fourques is dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours and is also known as Saint Sixte. The Mur des Justes commemorates the Baud family, who were honored as “Righteous Among the Nations” for sheltering and hiding two Jewish children during World War II. A sarcophagus with two places probably dates from the 1st or 2nd century. Château Boissy d’Anglas is a walled castle that dates back to the 11th century; it appears to have been built on the remains of a Roman villa. This collection brings together different aspects of local history: religious heritage, the memory of people and events, and architectural and archaeological evidence.
River Landscapes and Cycling Routes
The Voie verte Beaucaire-Fourques runs between the Rhône and Petit Rhône, through wetlands and ponds. The riverside trees along the Petit Rhône are home to a variety of birdlife. The route ends at the suspension bridge in Fourques. This means the route offers views of both the landscape along the way and the bridge at its end. North of Fourques, cyclists can continue on the ViaRhôna towards Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône or Sète. This offers a different point of reference: while Fourques is named as the endpoint of the Voie verte, the ViaRhôna is described in terms of two possible onward directions.
Getting There and Planning Your Visit
Fourques can be reached via the Nationale 113, the A9 motorway and the CD570 through the Camargue. The Journées Camarguaises take place every year in April. The program includes Abrivados, Bandidos and Manade competitions. As the exact event dates can change, check them for your chosen year before planning your trip.
To decide whether Fourques is right for your stay, you can consider its local history and river landscape as two different points of interest. Those interested in architectural heritage will find, among other things, the history of the suspension bridge, Château Boissy d’Anglas and the Rhônomètre. If you want to focus on nature and cycling, you can explore the Voie verte described above and its landscape between the two branches of the Rhône. The April event offers another possible reason to plan your visit for a particular time. Choose a hotel in Fourques if these local attractions suit the kind of stay you have in mind.
Discover more destinations: Gagnieres, Garrigues-Sainte-Eulalie, Vallabrix, Lanuéjols, Aspères, Saint-Martial, Peyremale, Saint-Jean-De-Crieulon.
For the broader travel overview: Gard.
