Tauriac-De-Naucelle: Viaduc du Viaur and Hiking Trails

Tauriac-De-Naucelle can be explored through the Viaduc du Viaur and several hikes with clearly defined features. The viaduct is a railway bridge over the valley through which the Viaur flows. This offers different interests to consider when planning your trip: the scale and history of a structure, a route that tells its story through the experiences of local residents, and trails with specific routes or destinations. These highlights can help you focus your choices on the topics that interest you most.

The Viaduc du Viaur: dimensions and history

The Viaduc du Viaur was completed in 1902 and classified as a historic monument on December 28, 2021. These dates mark different milestones: 1902 is the year it was completed, and 2021 the year it was classified. The structure is 116 metres high and 460 metres long; the central arch has a span of 220 metres. Height, overall length and span describe different measurements: the vertical extent, the length of the bridge and the span of its central arch. This puts the arch in context as part of the larger structure.

There are three viewpoints at the Viaduc du Viaur: Aire du Gô, Aire Paul Bodin and Aire du Yunnan. There are no public toilets at these viewpoints. Bear this in mind when planning your visit. The three names help you distinguish between the viewpoints, while the note about toilets is a practical consideration for your stay.

The “Oreilles en balade” route at the Viaduc du Viaur uses a smartphone to tell the story of the structure through the experiences of local residents. This offers a different perspective from its dimensions: rather than focusing on height, length and span, it explores the history of the viaduct as experienced by local residents.

Hikes and their specific features

The “Sentier du Viaduc” starts at Halte P. Bodin and passes beneath the viaduct’s piers. This trail therefore has both a specific starting point and a clearly defined route. If you are interested in the structure while hiking, the passage beneath the piers is the route’s defining feature.

“La piste oubliée” follows paths used by hunters from Tauriac and St-Just. This route is therefore distinguished by the history of how its paths were used. Unlike the “Sentier du Viaduc,” which passes beneath the piers, its special feature is its former use by hunters from the two villages.

The Chapelle-des-Planques site can be reached via a steep path that passes an old, abandoned village. Take the gradient into account when planning; the path passes by this village along the way. Both the nature of the path and the historic village site are specific features of this route.

The “La Chapelle des Planques” hike leads to the Roc de l'Aigle. From there, the view extends across the valley. This hike therefore has a clearly named destination, with views over the landscape as its defining feature. This gives you a different point of reference from trails whose descriptions mainly highlight a starting point, route or history of use.

Other named destinations include La Sicardie and Las Planques: the “Chemin de la voie royale” leads to La Sicardie, and the “Impasse du barrage” to Las Planques. If you want to choose based on a specific destination, these details distinguish the two trails. Along with the Roc de l'Aigle, they provide several named destinations, while the “Sentier du Viaduc” is defined primarily by its route beneath the structure.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Belmont-Sur-Rance, Martiel, Compeyre, Rignac, Espalion, Boussac, Sainte-Eulalie-De-Cernon, Centrès.

For the broader travel overview: Aveyron.