The iron arches
Over the Senegal River.
Gregor Rom — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Finn-DE — CC BY 3.0 · OlderP — CC BY-SA 4.0 · HaguardDuNord (talk) — CC BY-SA 3.0 · HaguardDuNord (talk) — CC BY-SA 3.0
Faidherbe Bridge is a long metal bridge over the Senegal River, linking the island of the city of Saint-Louis to the African mainland. It is the city's main landmark, leading onto the historic island listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2000. It runs for about 507 metres, is 10.5 metres wide, and has eight spans. Saint-Louis was the capital of the French colony of Senegal from 1673 to 1902. Until the 19th century the island could be reached only by boat, and a ferry for 150 passengers was then introduced, which soon proved too small. Louis Faidherbe set out to build the first bridge, and Governor Henri de Lamothe later took a loan of five million gold francs for a new metal one. You walk along a side path for pedestrians, with iron arches around you and a broad river whose colour shifts with the sky. At sunset the light falls on the water, which is the best time for photographs. On the far bank is a row of old houses with balconies, quays and palm trees, and behind them the island's regular streets and old wooden doors. Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary is about 44 km away in a straight line, and the island of Saint-Louis itself fills half a day on foot. You can hire a horse cart for a tour, and prices are negotiable. The streets are quiet in the morning. Cars cross the bridge all day, so keep to the walkway and do not stop on the road.
Over the Senegal River.
Gold light on the water.
Old balconies and quays.
Pont Faidherbe, Saint-Louis, Senegal
Yes, it has a side path for pedestrians, the best way to see the river.
Regular streets, old colonial houses with balconies and quays, enough for half a day on foot.