Gorges of the Truyère, Canyon in Argences en Aubrac, France
The Gorges de la Truyère is a deep canyon in southern France, cut through granite plateaus between the Aubrac highlands and the Monts du Cantal. The river winds through steep-sided valleys lined with trees, creating a landscape of sharp rock faces and narrow passages.
In the 1930s, the Truyère was dammed at several points to generate hydroelectric power, flooding parts of the valley and reshaping its landscape. The Sarrans Dam, one of the largest, turned a stretch of the river into a long lake that still exists today.
Most roads do not run directly along the river, so stopping at marked viewpoints is the best way to take in the full depth of the gorges. Sturdy footwear is strongly recommended if you plan to walk any of the trails along the rocky slopes.
The Garabit Viaduct, built by Gustave Eiffel over the Truyère before he designed the Eiffel Tower, was the tallest bridge in the world when it opened in 1884. It still carries trains today and can be seen from points along the gorge.
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