Viaduc des Rochers Noirs, Cable-stayed bridge in Lapleau and Soursac, France
Description
The Viaduc des Rochers Noirs is a steel cable-stayed bridge crossing the Luzège gorge, rising approximately 92 meters above the river and measuring about 160 meters in total length. The structure connects both sides of the valley and carries pedestrians, cyclists, and mountain bikers across its span.
History
Built between 1911 and 1913, the bridge was constructed as part of a steam railway line connecting Tulle and Ussel. After the railway service ended in 1959, the structure fell into disuse before being restored in recent years for pedestrian and cyclist traffic.
Culture
The name comes from the dark rocks visible in the gorge below, which remain a striking feature of the landscape today. The site has become embedded in local hiking culture, with walkers and cyclists now discovering the old rail route as part of a wider network of paths.
Practical
Several hiking trails surround the site, with one route passing beneath it via a footbridge for closer views of the gorge. Visitors can walk, cycle, or mountain bike across the main structure itself, which offers expansive views while crossing.
Did you know?
Only five bridges of this specific cable-stayed design exist worldwide, all located in France, making this one of an exceptionally rare engineering type. This scarcity makes the site particularly noteworthy for those interested in railway bridge construction.
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