Riou-de-Bar bridge

The Riou-de-Bar bridge is a railway crossing in the valley near Le Bar-sur-Loup that spans the waterway with multiple sections supported by sturdy pylons. Its structure combines steel and concrete, rising high above the terrain below to allow trains to pass over the valley floor.

The bridge was built in 1942 as a key part of the Central-Var railway line serving the region. Its construction reflected the railway expansion that connected mountainous areas of southern France.

The bridge reflects how 20th-century rail infrastructure reshaped the connection between communities in this region. It remains part of the everyday landscape for those traveling through the valley.

You can view the structure from various spots along the hiking trails that wind through the Le Bar-sur-Loup area. The best views come from the valley paths where you can see how the construction rises above the landscape.

The bridge demonstrates how engineers in the 1940s created a stable crossing over a deep valley using an innovative blend of materials. Few visitors notice how the design adapts to the steep terrain, making it a clever solution to challenging geography.