Pont de Rochemaure, Historic suspension bridge in Rochemaure, France.
The Pont de Rochemaure is a suspension bridge crossing the Rhône River between Rochemaure in Ardèche and Ancône in Drôme. The structure spans about 100 meters and now serves only pedestrians and cyclists after its conversion from vehicle use.
The original suspension bridge was built in 1858 following a flood in 1856 that destroyed an earlier structure from 1842. This construction by engineer Marc Seguin shaped infrastructure development in the Rhône Valley during the 1800s.
The preservation of this bridge demonstrates French engineering heritage, representing a crucial period of 19th-century infrastructure development in the Rhône Valley.
The bridge is part of the ViaRhôna cycling route and provides easy passage between the two departments. The footpath is accessible and allows visitors of various abilities to explore the Rhône Valley.
The structure was converted into a Himalayan-style footbridge in 2013 after residents successfully prevented its demolition. This transformation from a vehicle crossing into a gentler pedestrian facility came from community efforts to preserve the historic crossing.
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