Viaur Viaduct, Railroad bridge in Tauriac-de-Naucelle, France
The Viaur Viaduct is a railway bridge made of steel trusses that spans 460 meters across a river valley, reaching a height of 116 meters. The structure consists of multiple spans supported by slender steel frameworks that cross the gorge.
Paul Bodin won a competition in 1887 to design this railway bridge, which the Société de construction des Batignolles built from 1887 to 1902. The project was a remarkable technical achievement for its time and shaped the region's railway infrastructure.
The bridge inspired local artists and writers who captured its form and the workers' labor in their creations. It remains part of the region's identity and is viewed today by visitors as evidence of human craftsmanship.
Visitors can explore the bridge from several viewpoints along the Viaur Valley, including Aire du Gô and Aire Paul Bodin, which offer different perspectives. It is advisable to visit both locations to see the structure from various angles.
The central span of 220 meters uses two balanced frameworks that meet in the middle, allowing the structure to adjust to loads, temperature changes, and wind. This construction method was innovative and enabled the bridge to be flexible and stable at once.
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