Works of art to see France

It is a tunnel closely monitored since the 1999 disaster - reassuring, therefore - and long 11,6 kilometres, between Chamonix and Courmayeur. Only the width of the tube, which could not be changed, still seems too narrow for the eternal claustrophobes. But for all the rest, what improvements: better lighting and overhaul of the ventilation system, a 100-metre drive, a mid-term rescue station, a combination of French and Italian control rooms and, above all, the construction of an independent evacuation gallery under the road. More fun, the tail of vehicles at the counter: you will have the impression of taking the start of a ski competition, with front of you the small barrier that displays on screen the time allotted before your departure. 10, 9, 8, 7… When it rises, you can start up to the limit speed of 70 km/h and with a spacing of 150 metres between each vehicle, which now seems very well respected. The reason? The multiplication of surveillance cameras, such as tickets.

If you go through this charming village, go to the Lavoir washing house. It is very original. Built in 1878 by Mr. Tiriot, then mayor and carpenter, this washer has a remarkably impressive configuration since it is half-spherical. Its charpente-shaped frame of vessel, concentrated around a unique punch. Its structure has a seven-sided roof. This wash was created to allow the ladies to wash their linen (before it had to take 3 kms to go to the fountain of the virgin in the forest) and irrigate the animals. In summer, it is flowered, like the whole village, and becomes a bucolic and refreshing place.

Below the castle and the town centre of Courtalain, a pleasant area is available to take a break before visiting the town. Located on the edge of the river Yerre, this place houses washing machines that are still running through water from the river. There is also a road mill whose mechanisms always operate and circulate water. Finally, picnic tables make this area a good starting point for walking in the surrounding woods and follow part of the Balade walk.

Like its to Coustansouze, Rouzat and Neuvial, the Bouble viaduct was built by the Eiffel Company. It is 66 m high. Its central part is 300 m in length, and consists of 6 metal spans, whereas the abutment side of the Côté side is composed of 7 masonry spans. Not far from there, there are 2 other viaducts, that of the Vallée Valley, 48 m high and 231 m long, with 3 metal spans and 7 piers, and that of the Perrières.

This tunnel, located between Ebreuil and Menat, really looks like a cave. It is difficult to say far that it is a tunnel! It could very well be the den of any ancient monster… In addition to facilitating exchanges with the Combrailles, the tunnel is appreciated by sportsmen, since it offers 50 climbing lanes, from 4 to 7 a (assessment to gauge the difficulty of an escalation path).

The small town has a piece of architecture that bears witness to the technological and industrial progress of the late 18th century... A gothic bridge which can be proud of having been created by one of the most famous architects of France, Gustave Eiffel himself, in his workshop in Levallois-Perret. In 1878, the Ponts et Chaussées decided to rebuild the old gothic bridge. It consists of two vertical lattice girders, connected at the base by crossbeams, supporting the deck. The high metal parapets themselves form a lattice.