Chanteperdrix viaduct, Railway bridge in Antrenas, France.
Chanteperdrix viaduct is a railway bridge in Antrenas that spans 235 meters with nine rounded stone arches, each opening roughly 20 meters wide. The structure rises about 43 meters above the valley and connects two mountain stations on the historic rail line.
Construction took place between 1881 and 1887 under engineer Léon Boyer and required substantial resources. The bridge's completion marked a major milestone in connecting the mountain region by rail.
The structure represents how railways opened up remote Cevennes mountain communities and remains a landmark that locals point out with pride. Visitors notice the solid stone arches standing boldly against the rocky landscape as their train passes by.
The viaduct is best viewed from the train that regularly runs on the Béziers-Neussargues route. Choose a window seat to fully see the structure and the surrounding landscape while crossing.
The structure was built at about 2,600 feet (800 meters) elevation, which required specialized techniques to handle the steep mountainside. Workers had to contend with the harsh highland conditions to complete this massive stone structure.
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