During the municipal council meeting on September 22nd, elected officials approved the name Pont Léon XIV. This bridge, entirely reconfigured and rebuilt, regains its place as a major entry and exit point for the tourist area, marking a new chapter in its history.
The choice of the name Pont Léon XIV echoes the international renown of Lourdes, its spiritual history, and its fraternal values, a message of encounter and solidarity for visitors from around the world.
“"The Fraternity Between Peoples"
A new work of art, the statue "The Fraternity Between Peoples", created by sculptor Jean-Jacques Abdallah from the Hautes-Pyrénées, has been installed on one of the abutment walls of the bridge. It evokes peace, encounter, and solidarity, reinforcing the message linked to the identity of Lourdes.
The new bridge thus becomes a link between the city's neighborhoods, its inhabitants, visitors, and the cultures and peoples who meet in Lourdes.
Built in 1930 by Louis Pomès, the bridge had suffered significant damage over the years, particularly during the floods of the Gave de Pau in October 2012 and June 2013. Following stabilization work in 2016 and a partial reopening in 2021, its reconstruction was deemed essential to meet urban needs, address flood risks, and ensure landscape integration.
Jean-Jacques Abdallah, a professional sculptor based in Arras-en-Lavedan since 1995, draws inspiration from nature. Trained at the Tarbes School of Arts, his work explores human and animal figures as well as geometric abstraction, primarily working with marble and granite. His sculptures adorn many towns and villages in the region.
