Pont de la Vendée, Railway bridge across Loire River in Nantes, France
Pont de la Vendée consists of two consecutive railway bridges spanning different branches of the Loire River on the eastern tip of Nantes Island. The first section stretches approximately 320 meters while the second reaches about 250 meters, with both structures elevated around 13 meters above water level.
The structure was built between 1860 and 1866 by Ernest Goüin et Cie and reflects the railway expansion of that era. It suffered severe damage from American bombing in June 1944 and underwent substantial reconstruction afterward.
The bridge connects multiple French regions along the Nantes-Orléans to Saintes railway line, serving as a vital link for people traveling between different communities.
The best way to view the bridge is from the Loire banks or during a river cruise, as the structure is most visible from the water. Walking access to nearby viewpoints is straightforward and requires no special arrangements.
During construction, engineers used innovative compressed air caisson techniques borrowed from mining to secure foundations in the river bed. This pioneering method demonstrated advanced engineering for the period.
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