Aqueduc de Fontenay, Roman aqueduct ruins in Athée-sur-Cher, France.
The Aqueduc de Fontenay was an underground water line from Roman times that stretched from Bléré to Tours. The structure had vaulted channels and supporting walls designed to reliably transport water across this long distance.
The structure was built in the 1st century to supply water to the ancient Roman city of Caesarodunum, which is now Tours. This engineering work stood for many centuries and shows the technical abilities of the Romans in Gaul.
The aqueduct was part of a Roman system that moved water across long distances to supply the ancient city. Visitors can still observe the construction methods that reveal how essential water transport was to urban life.
The remains are partly underground and therefore difficult to see in their entirety. It is important to find out in advance where the most accessible parts of the structure are located and which areas require special attention.
The construction used local materials such as sand, gravel, and limestone that were plentiful in the region. This choice shows how Roman engineers adapted their building projects to the local environment.
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