Viaduc de Rouzat, Railway viaduct in Bègues and Saint-Bonnet-de-Rochefort, France
The Viaduc de Rouzat is a railway bridge spanning the Sioule River between Bègues and Saint-Bonnet-de-Rochefort, constructed with multiple stone arches that rise approximately 59 meters (193 feet) above the water. The structure stretches for roughly 181 meters (594 feet) and continues to serve as an active part of the rail network.
The bridge was built in 1869 during France's rapid railway expansion in the industrial era. Its construction represented a significant engineering achievement for connecting rail routes across difficult terrain.
The structure received recognition as a monument historique inscrit in December 1965, marking its importance in French architectural and engineering heritage.
The structure can be seen from nearby roads and various viewpoints around the valley and river below. The best views are typically found from ground level near the Sioule River or from the surrounding landscape.
The mathematical precision of the bridge construction demonstrates the advanced engineering capabilities of the 1860s, with exact measurements ensuring structural stability.
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