Fades viaduct

The Fades Viaduct is a railway viaduct in the Puy-de-Dôme department, central France. At the time of its inauguration on 10 October 1909, it was the tallest bridge in the world, across all categories. As of 2010, it still is the tenth tallest railway viaduct in the world.

Overview

The Fades Viaduct is located close to Les Ancizes-Comps, in the Auvergne region, between the communes of Sauret-Besserve and Les Ancizes-Comps. It spans across the river Sioule. Its construction began on 28 October 1901. From 14 to 16 September 1909 it passed the performance tests, The Fades Viaduct has monumental piers of quarried granite. Towering over in height they remain the tallest bridge piers ever built in traditional masonry. They each have a base larger than a tennis court.