Monuments to visit Saint-Louis

Almost at the northern end of the island of Ndar, on the Roume quay, stands a 20-ton steam crane, arrived in parts from France. It was assembled in 1883 by two soldiers, whose names are engraved on the crane, and installed when work on the Malian railway between Kayes (pronounced "Kaï", on the Senegal River) and Bamako (on the Niger River) was starting. All the equipment (up to the locomotives) had to be transported by river and loaded onto the boats. Hence the need for this crane, which seems so disproportionate.

The Faidherbe Bridge is a marvel in itself! Built in 1897 to Eiffel's plans (you can also see the elegance of the metal tower by the same architect), the bridge has a mobile span (the second) that pivots on its axis so that boats can pass from the ocean to the river. It was exceptionally put back into action on 15 October 2005 to allow the Bou el-Mogdad to navigate again on the Senegal River. This mythical ship now offers a cruise on the river from Saint-Louis to Podor. During an official visit in February 2005, the French President at the time, Jacques Chirac, promised to release funds to rehabilitate this monumental 506 m long structure, attacked by time and wind and weakening under the weight of the years, humans and vehicles that use it every day. A promise made, a promise done. Rehabilitation work was launched in January 2007, mainly with French funding, and was completed in July 2011 (inauguration with great pomp and ceremony on 19 November 2011). You can now once again admire this masterpiece and cross it on foot, by car or motorbike. It is very rare to see it open to the passage of boats, but perhaps you will be so lucky. However, this metal structure continues to deteriorate over time, and maintenance work is carried out once a year. But what a feeling when you cross it to reach the island of Saint-Louis and its intoxicating atmosphere!