Completed in 1902 and inaugurated on 5 October 1902, the Viaur Viaduct crosses the deep Viaur valley between Rodez and Albi. Listed as a historic monument since 28 December 1984, it is located in the communes of Tauriac-de-Naucelle (Aveyron) and Tanus (Tarn).
At 116 meters above the ground, the viaduct majestically spans the Viaur. It is one of the 3 metal structures of the 19th century, designed to carry the Toulouse-Rodez railway line. A picturesque aerial lacework from the genius of engineer Paul Bodin, winner of the architecture competition in front of Gustave Eiffel!
A giant of metal
460 m long and 3,800 tons of steel form this unique bridge in France which played an important role in the economic development of the region. The train passing over the viaduct made it possible to link the Tarn and Aveyron sides of the Ségala and to transport new agricultural produce.
Indeed, this work has undoubtedly contributed to the agricultural development of Ségala. A second road viaduct was put into service between the communes of Tauriac de Naucelle and Tanus.
570 m long, it overlooks the Viaur at 130 m.
This steel bridge, assembled by rivets, is composed of two balanced cantilevered (cantilever technique) and articulated girders, each extended by a short constant section girder and a masonry abutment with two arches. It is the only bridge of this type in France. Originally, the central point of the bridge was not welded, so the main arch is divided into two independent parts, each capable of supporting a considerable weight. Shortly after the completion of the viaduct's construction, the two parts were welded together for reasons exclusively related to the maintenance of the structure.
To see around the Viaur viaduct, the château du Bosc, childhood home of Toulouse-Lautrec, Las Planques chapel, Château de Taurines, the old centre of Naucelle, Sauveterre de Rouergue...
Viaur Viaduct
12800 Tauriac-de-Naucelle
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