Pont-canal du Guétin, Navigable aqueduct in Cuffy, France.
Pont-canal du Guétin is a stone structure that carries boats across the Allier River, lifting them above the water level instead of routing traffic around the obstacle. The crossing features multiple arches and wide enough dimensions to safely transport waterway vessels.
The structure was built in the 1830s to carry ships across the river and extend the waterway without interruption. Later improvements were made to allow larger boats to pass through.
The waterway is part of a system that carries boats over rivers instead of directing traffic around them. Visitors can see this unusual solution, which shows how 19th-century engineers wanted to maintain continuous water routes.
The best way to see this construction is to walk along the riverbank or travel by boat to experience it from water level. Visit during clear weather to enjoy the best views of the structure and surrounding landscape.
The structure uses a special lock system to safely guide boats over a significant height difference that would otherwise be impassable. This system is rare to see and makes the location technically noteworthy.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
