Sète train bascule bridge

The Thau lake is linked to the sea by a canal, splitting Sète in 2 parts.

Originally, when the first train line linking Lyon and Marseille to the south of France (like Bordeaux, Toulouse or Perpignan) was built in 1852, the railway line ended in Sète. Passengers had to get down the train, cross the canal, and go back to the train to continue the journey.

A wooden swing bridge was built in 1857. The bridge was quickly covered with metal in 1859. By 1861, a new and larger one (20m) was built.

Then a second swing bridge was installed between 1882 and 1884. It was again extended in 1918 bringing its length to 48.40 m.

It is in the mid 20's that engineers considered replacing the old swing bridge with a bascule bridge, but at the time the examples of using this technology were rare. The first studies were launched in 1921 and another 58.80m long bridge was commissioned in 1933.

This bridge is still in use.