On the occasion of the European Heritage Days, the city of Arles has initiated a fundraising campaign for the restoration of the famous Langlois Bridge, more commonly known as the Van Gogh Bridge. This bridge, made world-renowned by the paintings of Van Gogh and Gauguin in 1888, is a major symbol of the city.
The official launch of the campaign took place on September 19, 2026, in the presence of Patrick de Carolis, Mayor of Arles, and Anne Denis, Arles region delegate for the Heritage Foundation. This partnership aims to gather the necessary funds for the restoration work of the structure, located on the Arles to Bouc canal.
The bridge's history is eventful. The bridge Van Gogh painted is not the one admired today. The original bridge, destroyed in the early 20th century, was replaced by an identical structure from Fos-sur-Mer. Of the eleven similar drawbridges that existed on the Arles to Bouc canal in the 19th century, only this one has been preserved and purchased by the city of Arles.
The total estimated cost of the restoration, which covers the entire metal and wooden structure, amounts to 207,300 euros. The fundraising goal is to raise 50,000 euros, which will supplement the funding already provided by the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (Drac), the department of Bouches-du-Rhône, and the City of Arles.
Donations can be made on the Heritage Foundation's website: www.fondation-patrimoine.org.
