Pont de Genappe

The bridge of Genappe is an essential element of the legend of the French retreat. This 2,50 meter wide stone bridge was the « deadly bottleneck » that trapped the men who tried to escape. Its access « was blocked by the accumulation of vehicles and a throng rushed to the city » (translation of a text by J.Verhulst). This throng was the reason that leads to the capture of the Emperor’s coach by the Prussians. The place where the bridge stood still exists but it is higher than the water level. The many potable water stations that have been built on the Dyle River have significantly reduced the river flow compared to the one existing in 1815.