Crosses Garonne River Other name(s) Pont du Roi (French) Body of water Garonne | Official name Pont de Rei (Catalan) Location Fos, Haute-Garonne | |
Carries Commercial Vehicles
Non-commercial Vehicles Locale Fos, France –
Bausen, Spain | ||
The Pont de Rei (English: King's Bridge, French: Pont du Roi, Occitan: Eth Pònt de Rei) is a bridge and border crossing over the Garonne River that connects the Aran Valley of Spain with the Haute-Garonne department of France. The road on the French side is N125, ending in the commune of Fos; on the Spanish side the road is N-230, ending in the municipality of Bausen.
History
In 1515, the Plan d'Arem agreement was signed at the crossing between Spanish and French nobles and representatives to guarantee free passage and exchange of goods between the valleys on both sides of the border. A festival was held and a monument erected in 2015 to commemorate the 500-year anniversary of the treaty.
The border crossing was used by many Spanish refugees fleeing to France during the Spanish Civil War; and in the other direction by Jews fleeing the Nazi occupation of France. In 1944, the crossing was the point of entry and retreat for anti-Franco forces during the failed Invasion of Aran Valley.