Our take
An Eiffel viaduct 30 km from Vichy, built in 1869. The TER regional trains between Clermont-Ferrand and Montluçon still cross it; you look at it from below. Registered historic monument, photogenic at sunset.
The Eiffel viaduct at Rouzat, in Bègues: metal lacework from 1869 over the Sioule, best photographed in low sunlight.
A historic railway viaduct over the Sioule, between Bègues and Saint-Bonnet-de-Rochefort (Allier), built in 1869 by Gustave Eiffel's company. A metal bridge 180 m long and 59 m high, one of the oldest Eiffel viaducts in France. Registered as a historic monument in 1965. The Commentry-Gannat line is still in use: the TER regional trains between Clermont-Ferrand and Montluçon cross the viaduct, which cannot be visited on foot. You look at it from below. Views from the belvedere, from the foot of the viaduct on the road to Gannat, or from the waymarked walking trails. Open access, free of charge.
Why we love it
- Eiffel's metal lacework, 59 metres above the Sioule
- The evening backlight that outlines the structure
Top tip
Take your photo from the belvedere or from the foot of the viaduct, on the road to Gannat. Sunset on the metal structures is a treat. Easy to combine with Charroux, 20 minutes away (one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France, the “most beautiful villages of France” label).
Before you go
- Two viewpoints: the belvedere, signposted from Saint-Bonnet-de-Rochefort, and the foot of the viaduct, on the road to Gannat.
- Open access at any hour: it's the evening light that makes the photo.
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
16°/8°
2 mm · 27 km/h
Tomorrow
15°/5°
dry · 8 km/h
Tue 27
22°/10°
0 mm · 18 km/h
Source: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). General lowland forecasts, to be cross-checked with specialist mountain forecasts at altitude.
Practical info
- Address
- 03800 Bègues, France
03800 Bègues - Monday24 hours
- Tuesday24 hours
- Wednesday24 hours
- Thursday24 hours
- Friday24 hours
- Saturday24 hours
- Today24 hours
Opening hours
What visitors say
Google rating
Average of 127 reviews on Google Maps.
Community rating
No reader reviews yet: yours gets things started.
It's for you if
- You hunt for industrial heritage photo spots
- You want to see some Eiffel from before the tower, still in service
- You're out for a stroll along the Sioule
Give it a miss if
- You're hoping to visit the structure: you look at it from the trails
- You expect a developed site: it's an open viewpoint
Your logbook
Around Rouzat Viaduct
Enough to build your day around this address.
Where to stay nearby
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