Viaduc de Neuvial, Railway viaduct in Bègues and Mazerier, France
The Neuvial Viaduct is a railway structure spanning the valley between Bègues and Mazerier. It combines metal decking with masonry supports, featuring a prominent arch on the western side and four cylindrical columns in the central section.
The viaduct was commissioned in 1869 by the Paris-Orleans Railway Company with Wilhelm Nördling as the designer. Gustave Eiffel supervised the construction through his newly established company, marking an early chapter in his railway engineering work.
The structure links two separate communities and represents how railway development shaped the region during the 19th century. It stands as a visible reminder of how transport infrastructure transformed daily life and connections between isolated valleys.
The viaduct crosses the valley near the Sioule River with the D37 departmental road passing underneath it at two points. Viewing it from below offers the best perspective to understand the full structure and how it rests on its supports.
This viaduct represents one of Eiffel's earliest railway commissions, completed years before he designed his most famous structures. Few visitors realize this modest bridge was a testing ground for the engineering techniques he would perfect on larger projects.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
