Fermanville Viaduct, Railway viaduct in Fermanville, France
The Fermanville Viaduct is a granite railway bridge that spans 242 meters and rises 32 meters high with multiple stone arches. The structure crosses a ravine using carefully fitted blocks stacked in a series of large arches to carry trains across the gap.
The structure was completed in 1911 as part of the Cherbourg-Barfleur railway line to cross difficult terrain. Its construction marked a key step in opening this Normandy coast area to modern rail transport.
The viaduct shows how the railway transformed life in this coastal area by connecting people and goods across difficult terrain. Today it stands as a reminder of when such structures represented progress and modern engineering.
The viaduct is best viewed from the road below or beside the structure where its full height and span become clear. Access is via local roads near Fermanville, and the best time to visit is during clear weather for clear views and photographs.
Every granite block used came from local quarries in the region, showing how the structure was built from materials found nearby. This makes the viaduct a direct product of the geology found in this coastal area.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
