The dramatic mountain scenery of Corsica’s centre is a perfect backdrop for the island’s architectural marvel- the Pont du Vecchio rail bridge built by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel.
Overlooking the Vecchio River between Venaco and Vivario, 16 km south of Corte, Corsica’s historic capital, the largest viaduct on the island has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1976.
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PONT DU VECCHIO
Granite cliffs plunging into emerald waters of deep gorges, luxuriant pine forests saturating the air with their delightful fragrance surrounded by mountain peaks merging with the sky- it is the interior where some of Corsica’s most arresting landscapes may be experienced.
Famous for its remarkable location, the iconic railway viaduct was constructed between 1891 and 1892 in order to link the town of Bastia with Ajaccio crossing the picturesque Vecchio Valley.
Factory-built steel bridge elements were transported to the site and then assembled by the Compagnie des Etablissements Eiffel company. The structure towers 84 m above the river and is 170.96 m long. The 140 m long steel deck rests on two 58 m high masonry piles. The most recent maintenance works of the viaduct were undertaken in October 2018 and continued until the spring of 2019.
Below the Eiffel Viaduct runs an old decommissioned pedestrian and cyclist single-lane road bridge built between 1826 and 1827.
THE MICHELINE TRAIN
The unparalleled landscapes of Central Corsica may be best enjoyed on the Michelin train crossing the famous Eiffel Bridge.
The 230 km long ride offers one of the most scenic European rail routes taking passengers past sparkling Mediterranean waters, snow-capped mountain peaks, and rolling hills of the peaceful insular countryside.
The train runs from Calvi to Bastia and crosses the island to Ajaccio in the south-west. The ride takes around 3.5 hours while tickets may be purchased at train stations along the route. The timetable is available at local tourist offices or online at www.corsicabus.org.
BOOK FUN RIVER ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA
- Canyoning in the Verghellu Canyon. Enjoy an exciting half-a-day aquatic adventure in one of Corsica’s most entertaining canyons. With a certified guide, you will discover breathtaking scenery swimming in natural river pools, sliding and abseiling. You must be able to swim but no prior canyoning experience is required.
- Canyoning for families in the Vecchio Canyon. Swim, splash, jump, and slide in the emerald river water on a thrilling half-a-day excursion descending the beautiful Verghellu Canyon. This playful activity is accessible to children as young as 6 and will satisfy the whole family.
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