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Legend of the Ferryman

Before this bridge was built people had to wait for the ferryman, an annoyance that, the story has it, gave the town its name.

Gueugnon, France

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Émiland Gauthey   Christine Williamson / Atlas Obscura User
Pont Émiland Gauthey   Christine Williamson / Atlas Obscura User
Légende du Passeur   Christine Williamson / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The "Pont Gauthey," a bridge in Guegnon, France, is a good place to tell La légende du passeur—the legend of the ferryman.

The bridge in Gueugnon is an arched bridge of 60.87 meters length. Completed in 1787, it was one of the first buildings of Émiland Gauthey.

In the Charolais dialect, the word "gueugner" means whining or moaning. In the old times there was no bridge over the Arroux in this place. People had to wait for the ferryman and his boat. The ferryman was often not on time. And because of that, the people groaned and moaned—hence the origin of the town name, Gueugnon!

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Published

July 11, 2016

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