Viaduc de Saint-Chamas, Railway viaduct in Saint-Chamas, France.
The Viaduc de Saint-Chamas is a stone railway bridge crossing the Touloubre river with 49 interlaced circular arches. The structure spans 385.4 meters in length and rises 31 meters above the water.
The viaduct was completed in 1848 under engineer Gustave Desplaces and became a key part of the Paris-Lyon-Marseille railway development. Its construction helped connect France's growing transport network using innovative stone methods.
The structure reflects French engineering practices of the 19th century through its crossed vault design and stone construction methods. Visitors can observe today how carefully each stone was placed to create a lasting crossing.
The active bridge is well accessible from Saint-Chamas train station and carries daily train traffic. The best views come from below at the riverbank or from the train tracks themselves if you approach on foot.
The arches of the viaduct are unusually designed: they intersect with each other and create a series of pointed vaults, a technique that engineer Paul Séjourné later criticized. This uncommon building approach is one of the most noticeable features and sets the viaduct apart.
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