Construction of viaduct 1897-1901 (≈ 1899)
499 m long, 20 arches in masonry.
1952
Closing of the line
Closing of the line 1952 (≈ 1952)
End of railway operation.
1954
Way removal
Way removal 1954 (≈ 1954)
Railway deleted two years later.
1972
Recovery by the municipality
Recovery by the municipality 1972 (≈ 1972)
Clis becomes owner of the viaduct.
16 février 2023
Registration for historical monuments
Registration for historical monuments 16 février 2023 (≈ 2023)
Official heritage recognition.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The viaduct of the Auzon located on the parcels shown in the cadastre section B under numbers 529, 650 and 842: inscription by order of 16 February 2023
Origin and history
The Viaduct de l'Auzon is a major railway work on the Argenton-sur-Creuse line in La Chaussée, located in the municipality of Cluis, in the department of l'Indre (Centre-Val de Loire region). With a length of 499 metres and a height of 42.70 metres, it is one of the largest masonry railway viaducts in France. Its 20 arches of 20 metres open, built between 1897 and 1901, cost CHF 1.964 million, representing 17% of the total budget of the line.
The railway line, closed in 1952, was dismantled two years later. In 1972, the municipality of Clis became its owner. Today, the viaduct is a popular green route for hikers and a spot for jumping to the elastic from its parapet. It was listed as a historical monument on February 16, 2023, recognizing its heritage and architectural importance.
Originally, the viaduct crossed the Auzon River between mileage 310.5 and 317.8 of the line. Its impressive architecture and railway function reflect the technical ambitions of the late 19th century. After its decommissioning, it was reinvested as a leisure space, illustrating a successful conversion of the industrial heritage into a tourist and sporting site.
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