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Origin and history

The viaduct du Bellon is a railway structure located on horseback in the communes of Louroux-de-Bouble and Coutansouze, in the Allier department (region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes). Built between 1868 and 1871, it allows the Commentry-Gannat line to cross the Belon valley. Its structure combines a 128-metre central metal beam bridge, supported by two metal batteries, and masonry access viaducts (four arches west side, three arches east side), for a total length of 231.40 metres. The engineer Felix Moreaux supervised the construction according to the plans of Wilhelm Nördling, chief engineer of the Compagnie du Paris-Orléans.

The Commentry-Gannat line was created in 1861 to respond to the industrial development of these cities under the Second Empire. Wilhelm Nördling designed metal structures to cross the enclosed valleys, including the Bellon viaduct, characterized by batteries reinforced by curved cylindrical crossbows. The technical difficulties delayed the completion of the work, originally planned in 1868, until 1871. The viaduct was listed in the Historic Monuments by order of 23 December 2009, recognizing its heritage importance.

The viaduct illustrates 19th century railway engineering, combining metallic innovation and traditional masonry techniques. Its piles are based on stone massifs, while the iron stilettos and intertrailers ensure the stability of the whole. It is owned by the State and bears witness to the expansion of the French railway network during the industrial revolution, facilitating trade between Commentry mining basins and Gannat agricultural areas. Its functional and aesthetic architecture makes it a remarkable example of the Allier industrial heritage.

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