Arc Majeur, Steel sculpture along E411 motorway in Lavaux-Sainte-Anne, Belgium
Arc Majeur is a massive steel arch sculpture beside the E411 motorway that stretches 75 meters across and rises 60 meters high. The structure is built from Corten steel, which naturally develops a distinctive rust-like patina over time.
The project took shape in the 1980s through a French artist's vision but faced rejection in France before finally being built in Belgium in 2019. Its realization near Rochefort marked the completion of a long-delayed artistic dream.
French artist Bernar Venet created this work as a statement of contemporary art that interrupts the landscape and invites reflection. The raw steel form acts like a question posed to nature, prompting travelers to pause and consider what they see.
The artwork sits right beside the E411 motorway and is easily visible from the road without needing to stop. The best viewing happens while driving near kilometer marker 99, between the Namur and Luxembourg provinces.
The steel sections were manufactured in workshops near Liege, giving the work local artisanal significance. This regional connection shows how an international art project supported local industry and craftsmanship.
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