Road Cycling Highlight
Recommended by 8 road cyclists
This Highlight is in a protected area
Please check local regulations for: Parc national du Mercantour (aire d'adhésion)
Location: Guillaumes, Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur, France
A spectacular passage, this bridge that connects the two mountains is stunning.
August 31, 2024
The La Mariée bridge was built from 1910 for the passage of the tramway that linked Pont de Geydan and Guillaumes. The construction site gave rise to technical feats in the Daluis gorges with the digging of tunnels and the construction of this spectacular bridge with a span of 58 meters. The line, 19 km long, took the same route as the current road. The work brought life to the valley but caused many victims, as evidenced by the commemorative plaques along the track. They were slowed down during the war of 1914-1918 and the tramway did not arrive in Guillaumes until 1923, but the line, with its costly maintenance, only operated for 6 years before its final shutdown in 1929. This structure is one of the first railway viaducts in an arch made of reinforced concrete in France. It owes its name to a tragic incident that occurred on July 30, 1927. A young, wealthy Parisian couple arrived on their honeymoon in Guillaumes and decided to visit the gorges at the end of the day. They stopped at the first bridge they came across on the road, then called the Tramway Bridge. The young bride is said to have leaned over to admire the view and fell into the gorges. In the absence of witnesses, the accident theory was favored, but the mysterious circumstances surrounding the young woman's disappearance have long fueled rumors.
Closed to motor traffic, it now offers one of the best viewpoints over the Daluis gorges. So don't hesitate to stop there to enjoy it. With a bit of luck, you might also see daredevils bungee jumping there.
August 28, 2024
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