page_title: Braye du Valle, Guernsey
section_title: Crossings
hierarchical_section_title: Braye du Valle, Guernsey / Crossings
caption_attribution_description: English: Oringinal etching by unknown artist ca. 1785 in the coll. of M. Christian Cardell Corbet PPCPA, CGAM, ISA, SAA, FRSA.
context_page_description: The Braye du Valle is the area between the main Island of Guernsey and Le Clos du Valle, which was a tidal island to the north.
context_section_description: The Great bridge also known as the Pont du Valle
  1204 is the date mentioned for a bridge, it required to be maintained in good condition, the bridge was requested in a petition by parish residents dated 4 October 1204 following the loss of a causeway to sea damage. There is mention of the bridge being destroyed in 1299, with the perpetrators being charged and fined.
  The “great bridge” is mentioned in a response from Charles II in 1666.  The bridge has, for as long as records exist, been wide enough for pedestrians and wagons, constructed of stone with a nearby sluice or “nocq”.
  F.C. Lucas, mentions a stone bridge called the “Le Pont du Valle” built of heavy rock with an open bridge to allow the water to pass underneath, at the “Bouche du Valle” near the Vale church.
  Low water bridges
  There were two small connected bridges at the Vale Church, the Pont St Michel and the Pont Allaire crossing two streams. These bridges were made of large stones with stone slabs resting on top. Covered by the sea at high tide and the stones would have been covered with seaweed. They are reputed to have been built by monks from Mont Saint-Michel who had settled in Guernsey around 968 A.D. The bridges still existed in 1715.
  Ferry
  A ferry existed near the Vale Church, which must have assisted worshippers attending the Vale Church.
  Fords
  Three causeways were identified, one being destroyed in 1708. The 1787 map records a low water crossing point west of the great bridge.
caption: Vale Church from Braye du Valle, at low water
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