Savines Bridge

Savines Bridge is a concrete viaduct that crosses Serre-Ponçon Lake, supported by twelve piers arranged to handle the water below. The structure spans 924 meters with eleven sections and allows vehicles to travel between communities on either side of the lake.

Engineer Jean Courbon designed this bridge in 1958, just before the valley would be flooded to create Serre-Ponçon Lake. When completed in 1960, it became one of France's first post-tensioned concrete bridges.

The bridge construction coincided with the filming of 'Girl and the River' in 1958, which documented the transformation of the valley into Serre-Ponçon Lake.

The bridge sits about 50 meters above the water and is part of Route Nationale N94, serving as a regular vehicle crossing. You can drive across it or view it from the surrounding shores.

The piers were intentionally built at great height before the valley was flooded, anticipating where the future water level would reach. This foresighted construction approach is a remarkable example of planning for the artificial lake's creation.

Location: Savines-le-Lac

Inception: 1960

Length: 924 m

GPS coordinates: 44.52952,6.39755

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:25