Viaduc de l'île d'Oléron

Descriptif

In 1964, the Campenon-Bernard company began construction of the bridge. After 25 months of construction, involving nearly 200 engineers and workers and thousands of tons of concrete, it was inaugurated on June 21, 1966 by André Bore, Secretary of State for the Interior. It cost 36 million 600,000 francs.



When it opened, the cost of passage was the same as for the ferry. The toll was abandoned in 1991. It was the largest bridge in France until 1974 (when the Saint-Nazaire Bridge was built).



Currently the 3rd longest bridge in France after St Nazaire and Ile de Ré (1988), it measures 3027 m, is 10m90 wide and rests on 45 piers.



Crossing the bridge offers beautiful views (of Fort Louvois and the ramparts of Château d'Oléron in particular), which vary greatly according to the time of tide. At low tide, you can see the oyster beds.