First bridge over the river Garonne at Bordeaux, the Pont de pierre was planned and designed during the First French Empire, under the orders of Napoleon I.

As he campaigned in Spain, he needed his troops cross rapidly the river, and the original project envisaged a wood bridge, easier to build.

[2] During these three years, the builders were faced with many challenges because of the strong current and the high tidal range, 6 m (20 ft), at that point in the river.

The bridge and its tide is an important point in the Itinéraire à Grand Gabarit, the logistic schedule transporting parts for the Airbus A380 production.

[3][4][5] Since 2016, the condition of the bridge makes it now permanently closed to traffic except for pedestrians, cyclists, trams, buses, taxis and emergency vehicles.