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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Marc-Seguin Bridge is an iconic suspension bridge built between 1847 and 1849 by engineer Marc Seguin. It replaces a first suspended bridge, built in 1825 by the same engineer but destroyed in 1965. With its two 90-metre spans and its central arch pile, it illustrates the technical innovation of the period in the field of metal bridges.

Originally conceived as a road bridge, the bridge lost this function after the construction of the Gustave-Toursier Bridge in 1958. Since then, it has been reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. Its inscription in historical monuments in 1985 underlines its heritage importance, both for its architecture and for its role in the history of river transport.

Located between the Ardèche and the Drôme, the bridge connects the municipalities of Tournon-sur-Rhône and Tain-l'Hermitage. Its eight iron cables and slender structure are a remarkable example of 19th-century engineering. It also symbolizes exchanges between the two banks of the Rhône, a major axis of communication and trade.

Marc Seguin, engineer and entrepreneur, marked the history of suspended bridges in France. The bridge bears its name in tribute to its contributions, including the pioneering use of wire for cables. This monument is part of a series of technical innovations that revolutionized infrastructure in the 19th century.

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