Saint-Nazaire Bridge

The Saint-Nazaire Bridge is a reinforced concrete cable-stayed span over the Loire Estuary, measuring 3,356 meters in total length with a central section of 404 meters. The roadway sits 68 meters above the water, allowing vessels to pass beneath the two main support towers that hold the cables in place.

Construction began in March 1972 and finished with the official opening in October 1975. Before its arrival, ferries carried passengers and vehicles across the estuary between both banks.

The bridge connects the communities of Saint-Nazaire and Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, supporting regional development between the northern and southern banks of the Loire.

The roadway offers three lanes for vehicles and narrow cycling paths along both edges, with a speed limit of 70 kilometers per hour (43 miles per hour). Pedestrians are not allowed, so the crossing remains reserved for bikes and motor traffic only.

Engineers installed a variable lane system that shifts the direction of traffic flow depending on demand throughout the day. This solution distributes vehicles more efficiently without adding extra lanes to the roadway.

Location: Saint-Nazaire

Location: Saint-Brevin-les-Pins

Inception: March 1972

Official opening: October 18, 1975

Height: 68 m

Length: 3,356 m

Longest Span: 404 m

Made from material: reinforced concrete

GPS coordinates: 47.27876,-2.16568

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:22