Construction of tunnel 1826-1832 (≈ 1829)
First line Lyon-Saint-Étienne by the Seguin brothers
1858
Tunnel decommissioning
Tunnel decommissioning 1858 (≈ 1858)
End of rail use
2 mai 1995
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 2 mai 1995 (≈ 1995)
Protection of tunnel heads
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Former tunnel with head of upstream (Egarande side) on the AD 71 cadastre, Placed Egarande, and head of downstream (Couzon side) on the AW 44 cadastre, Placed Mont Durozeil: inscription by order of 2 May 1995
Key figures
Marc Seguin - Engineer
Manufacturer of railway tunnel
Origin and history
The Couzon Tunnel, located in Rive-de-Gier in the Loire, is a pioneer railway work built between 1826 and 1832. It is 900 metres long and is part of the Lyon - Saint-Étienne line, designed by the Seguin brothers. This tunnel, the first of its kind in France, marks a key milestone in the history of national rail transport. Disused in 1858, there remains a technical testimony of that time.
The tunnel has been listed in the Historical Monuments since 2 May 1995, protecting its two heads (Egarande side and Couzon side). Marc Seguin, an engineer, played a central role in his design. Today, the site is partly owned by a public institution and private owners. Its location, although documented, remains approximate according to available sources.
The construction of this tunnel is part of the industrial revolution, where the development of the railways transformed economic and social exchanges. The Saint-Étienne region, which was booming mining and industrial, benefited directly from this infrastructure. The tunnel, though disused, symbolizes the technical innovation and ambition of the engineers of the time.
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