Aqueduc romain de Briord, Roman aqueduct in Briord, France
The Roman aqueduct of Briord is an underground tunnel carved through a hillside, extending approximately 197 meters with right-angled turns and varying ceiling heights. The channel was engineered to carry water using gravity and adapted to the rocky terrain it passed through.
Roman workers excavated this tunnel from both sides of the hill to connect water sources with a settlement nearby. A 10-meter misalignment occurred during the digging process and had to be corrected afterward.
The aqueduct supplied water to a Roman settlement from nearby springs, showing how people solved the challenge of delivering water across distances. Walking through it today, you can spot the small niches carved into the walls that once held oil lamps.
The tunnel is open to visitors year-round without entry fees, and free parking is available near the entrance. Bring a flashlight since the interior is dark and will help you examine the walls and carved details more clearly.
Tool marks left by ancient miners are still visible on the tunnel walls, revealing the techniques used to carve through stone. These scratches offer a direct glimpse into the hands-on labor that Roman workers performed centuries ago.
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