Bridges of France

I seem to have a magnet for bridges stamps - this is , I guess , the tenth bridge stamp from Europe

The river Rhine , originating near the Alps, is the longest river in the Western Europe and occupies a significant place in the history and economy of the region. It passes through Switzerland, France , Germany and Netherlands. For a significant distance , the river forms the France - Germany border. A bridge over this part of the river is bound to have a significant history too, because these two nations have been at war many times. 

The Europa stamp of France - 2018 - features two adjoining bridges over Rhine connecting the cities of Strasbourg, France and Kehl, Germany. 

The first bridge ( on the right ) is the Pont de l’Europe - or the Bridge of Europe . This bridge has a very long history . The first ever bridge at this site was constructed in 1388. It was modified with a covered bridge in late 1800s. The bridge was heavily damaged during the First World War when France amd Germany fought each other. During the Second World War, the bridge was completely destroyed. In 1945, a temporary collapsible bridge was constructed . In 1967, a new bridge was built at the site as a mark of end of all hostilities between the two nations - calling it the bridge of Europe. Till 2004, this bridge served as the only bridge that can be used by pedestrians and cyclists to cross over to the other country. 

The Bridge of Europe 

The other bridge is footbridge that connects the two cities a little farther down the river - Passerelles des Deux Rives. On either side of the bridge are Gardens and the bridge connects the two cities . Built in 2004, it is known for its beautiful design and became famous after the world leaders shook hands for the NATO summit held in 2009 on this bridge ! 

Passerelle des Deux Rives 

It is truly a marvel how a bridge connects two countries and serves as a link to a long history . 

The other stamp is also another bridge - the Viaur Viaduct over the Tarn river, Aveyron 

This viaduct built in 1902, over the Tarn valley in Aveyron has a unique structural design. Till recently it was the second tallest viaduct in Europe and the world too ! 

One of the highest railway bridges in the world upon its opening in 1902, the Viaur Viaduct is also one of France’s greatest triumphs of bridge engineering. Although it looks like an arch, the Viaur railway bridge is actually two balanced cantilevers joined in the middle by a hinge. A true arch effect only occurs when a train is going across the central span of the bridge. The innovative design allows the bridge members to expand and contract from temperature as well as weight changes without straining the arch structure as a whole. The main span of 722 feet (220 mtrs) was the longest on a French railway bridge at the time. The height of 383 feet (116.8 mtrs) was second to Eiffel’s Garabit Viaduct. A few years later, the Fades Viaduct would push Viaur into 3rd place among high French railway bridges.