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This article was first published 12 years ago

Stunning bridges in France

Last updated on: May 23, 2012 12:08 IST

Image: Millau Viaduct.

The Millau Viaduct is a cable-stayed road-bridge that spans the valley of the river Tarn near Millau in southern France.

It was designed by the French structural engineer Michel Virlogeux and British architect Norman Foster.

1. Millau Viaduct
Height: 909 feet
Main span length: 1,122 feet
Completed: 2004

Click NEXT to see the highest bridges in France, according to HighestBridges.com...

Images: Wikimedia Commons

Stunning bridges in France

Image: Grande Ravine Bridge.

2. Grande Ravine Bridge

This stunning design of the bridge in reunion Island is credited to designer Setec, architect Alain Spielmann and builders Dodin, Vinci Construction, Eiffel and Freyssinet.

Height: 532 feet
Main span length: 492 feet
Completed: 2009

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Stunning bridges in France

Image: Tulle Viaduct.

3. Tulle Viaduct

Charles Lavigne and Alain Montois were the architects while Michel Duviard was the structural engineer.

Height: 492 feet
Main span length: 591 feet
Completed: 2003

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Stunning bridges in France

Image: Verrieres Viaduct.

4. Verrieres Viaduct

With six steel box beam spans and a 4-lane highway, Verrieres Viaduct is one of France's tallest viaducts.

Height: 492 feet
Main span length: 394 feet
Completed: 2002

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Stunning bridges in France

Image: Sioule Viaduct.

5. Sioule Viaduct

At 500 feet above the Sioule River valley, the Sioule Viaduct is one of biggest highway bridges.

Height: 492 feet
Main span length: 632 feet
Completed: 2005

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Stunning bridges in France


Photographs: Caille Bridge.

6. Caille Bridge

In 1928, the Caille arch bridge became the world's longest and highest concrete arch span.

Height: 482 feet
Main span length: 451 feet
Completed: 1928

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Tags: Caille , France

Stunning bridges in France

Image: Charles Albert Bridge.

Charles Albert Bridge

It was the highest bridge in the world in 1839. The Pont Charles Albert bridge retained this record for 73 years.

Height: 482 feet
Main span length: 600 feet
Completed: 1839

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Stunning bridges in France

Image: Bras de la Plaine Bridge.

8. Bras de la Plaine Bridge

The Bras de la Plaine Bridge is a road bridge over the Bras de la Plaine river on Reunion island.

Height: 475 feet
Main span length: 921 feet
Completed: 2002

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Stunning bridges in France

Image: Viaduct of Fades.

Viaduct of Fades

Located in Central France, the Viaduct of Fades is a railway viaduct opened in October 1909. It is the world's tenth tallest railway viaduct.

Height: 435 feet
Main span length: 473 feet
Completed: 1909

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Stunning bridges in France

Image: Cologne Bridge.

Cologne Bridge

A beautiful beam bridge, the Colagne Viaduct connects route 88 to the A75 motorway by cutting across a wide valley.

Height: 410 feet
Main span length: 623 feet
Completed: 2006

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Tags: , A75 , France

Stunning bridges in France

Image: Artuby Bridge.

Artuby Bridge

It is a beautiful concrete arch bridge perched between the cliffs of the Artuby River.

Height: 410 feet
Main span length: 350 feet
Completed: 1940

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Stunning bridges in France

Image: Garabit Viaduct.

12. Garabit Viaduct

Opened in 1885, the Garabit Viaduct is a railway arch bridge constructed between 1882 and 1884 by Gustave Eiffel, with structural engineering by Maurice Koechlin.

Height: 407 feet
Main span length: 540 feet
Completed: 1884

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Stunning bridges in France

Image: Magnan Viaduct.

13. Magnan Viaduct

The highest bridge on France's A8 motorway, the Viaduc du Magnan originally opened in 1976. Located near the border with Italy.

Height: 404 feet
Main span length: 433 feet
Completed: 1975, 1983

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Tags: France , Italy

Stunning bridges in France

Image: Viaur Highway Viaduct.

14. Viaur Highway Viaduct

One of the largest prestressed concrete beam bridges in France, the Viaur Viaduct has a central span of 623 feet.

Height: 394 feet
Main span length: 623 feet
Completed: 1998

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Tags: France

Stunning bridges in France

Image: Viaur Railway Bridge.

15. Viaur Railway Bridge

One of the highest railway bridges in the world upon its opening in 1902, the Viaur Viaduct is also one of engineering marvels in France.

Height: 394 feet
Main span length: 623 feet
Completed: 1998

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Tags: France

Stunning bridges in France

Image: Lignon Viaduct.

Lignon Viaduct

Located on France's route 88, the slender Lignon Viaduc carries a two lane roadway across five 328 foot box beam spans.

Height: 377 feet
Main span length: 328 feet
Completed: 1993

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Stunning bridges in France

Image: Fontaine Ravine Viaduct.

17. Fontaine Ravine Viaduct

The Fontaine Ravine Viaduct crosses a deep, steep-sided ravine, forming part of the Route des Tamarins dual-carriageway highway. The concrete arch bridge spans 200 metres.

Height: 361 feet
Main span length: 558 feet
Completed: 2009

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Stunning bridges in France

Image: Roizonne Viaduct.

18. Roizonne Viaduct

Roizonne arch bridge is located in the beautiful Rhone-Alpes region.

Height: 361 feet
Main span length: 244 feet

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Stunning bridges in France

Image: Chatelet Bridge.

19. Chatelet Bridge

Pont Chatelet Bridge is known for greatest height to span ratio of among the world's highest bridges.

Height: 354 feet
Main span length: 59 feet
Completed: 1882

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Stunning bridges in France

Image: Elle Viaduct.

20. Elle Viaduct

Elle Viaduct is a beautiful beam bridge with diamond shaped pier shafts imprinted with Chevron shapes at the transition of each pier level.

Height: 338 feet
Main span length: 262 feet

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Stunning bridges in France

Image: Rauze Viaduct.

21. Rauze Viaduct

The highest bridge on France's A20 motorway, the Viaduc de la Rauze is another concrete box girder bridge

Height: 331 feet
Main span length: 427 feet

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Stunning bridges in France

Image: Chavanon Bridge.

22. Chavanon Bridge

Opened in 2000, the Chavanon Viaduct is a suspension bridge located in the Chavanon Valley in France connecting the towns of Merlines and Messeix.

Height: 328 feet
Main span length: 984 feet
Completed: 2000

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Stunning bridges in France

Image: Chadon Viaduct.

23. Chadon Viaduct

Completed in 2002, the Chadon Viaduct is a steel girder bridge with 4 main spans of 328 feet.

Height: 328 feet
Main span length: 328 feet
Completed: 2002


Tags: France