Cize–Bolozon Viaduct: A Rail-Road Crossing Bridge in France

SNCF B 81661 is passing is a spectacular scene on the Cize-Bolozon viaduct which is a road-rail bridge crossing the Ain gorge in France. The Cize–Bolozon viaduct is a combination of rail and vehicular viaduct crossing the Ain gorge linking the communes of Cize and Bolozon. Therefore an original span built in the same location in 1875 was actually ruined in World War 2. It was reconstructed as a vital post-war plan due to its position on a main line to Paris; however the new viaduct revived in May 1950. Interestingly The Cize Bolozon viaduct was only opened five years after the end of the war, on 14 May 1950.

Unique engineering works on the line include the road-rail Cize-Bolozon viaduct, carrying the railway on the high level and the road on the low level and the overhead conductor rail used in the Bolozon I and Bolozon II tunnels and the open track in between. It carries road and rail traffic at diverse levels: the railway, which was barred for reinforcement and restoration work in 2005, occupies the upper level. The vehicles which are crossing the Cize-Bolozon viaduct, the speed falls to 80 km/h, and then picks up again to 90 through the Bolozon and Mornay tunnels.

Nevertheless the part of the Ligne du Haut-Bugey reopened in December 2010 as part of the international Paris–Geneva line. However the local road from Poncin to Thoirette uses the lower level. Racouse tunnel takes the line through the second ridge of the Revermont, and then the Cize-Bolozon viaduct crosses the river Ain to Bolozon station. Numerous bridges were destroyed in 1944, starting with the bridge over the Suran on July 8, followed by the Cize Bolozon viaduct on the 8th and the Reyssouze Bridge on 2 September.

Passage du Gois; A Submersible Causeway in France

Passage du Gois is a submersible causeway in the Bay of Bourgneuf, connecting the island of Noirmoutier to the mainland in the department of Vendée, in France. Interestingly twice a day, for an hour or two, the tide goes out and the causeway becomes visible and reachable to traffic. For the rest of the day, it remains flooded under 1.3 to 4 meters of water and cannot be used.

Even though causeways such as Passage du Gois exist in other places like Jindo in Korea, the distinctiveness of Passage du Gois lies in its exceptional length of four to five kilometers. In the 18th century, the causeway was much longer because the old dikes were farther from the coast. Therefore; in the early days, the only way to reach Noirmoutier was by boat.

Then the Bay of Bourgneuf slowly silted up and the causeway was shaped and permitting men and animals to wade through the waters to the island. Well, the name “Gois” comes from the verb "goiser" which means to walk while wetting one’s shoes. It was in 1701 that the passage linking the mainland to the island was first mentioned on a map.  Moreover the inquisitiveness has existed since the collapse of the plateau which gave birth to the bay of Bourgneuf. More than thousands years, the two present from the north and south hitting the bay has resulted in deposition of silt, and that has repeatedly moved before stabilizing.

Now stabilization work was done to stop sand from moving and a cobblestone road was laid down. In the mid of 18th century a regular service was provided by car or on horseback. In 1971, a bridge linking the island to the mainland was built as an alternative route to the island of Noirmoutier.

Calanque D'En Vau France

The calanque D’En Vau situated between Marseille and Cassis is a popular place for tourists and locals alike, well surrounded by steep cliffs and sandy beaches, offering numerous vantage points. A great numbers of hiker and tourist are frequently visiting this area. These cliffs are used as a training spots for rock climbers. Therefore; the excessive use of these cliffs has posed problems of substantial damage to this subtle microhabitat. However; most of the Calanques are closed to the public during the summer seasons mainly from July through September, due to the risks of forest fire that often happen during the dry season. 

Therefore best time to visit Calanques is maybe March through May, when temperatures quite fresh and bearable unlike autumn and winter. The rain is usually quite rare here, as there is no fresh water sources are available in the Calanques, it is advised to carry large supplies of water, particularly during the hot summer to avoid serious dehydration. Boat tours are also available starting either from Marseille, Cassis or La Ciotat, which are offering some remarkable sight views. National Geographic has asked their Facebook fans what their favorite summer water spots ar, the reply is Calanque d'En Vau near Marseille, France. D'En Vau is one of quite a few Calanques in the south of France. 

These Calanques (with the partial exception of Port Miou) were officially declared a National Park in April 2012, and there’re restrictions on specific sporting activities such as hunting and fishing. The extraordinary topography of the Calanques makes it difficult to get too several of them, except by boat. Even on days when access is authorized, the intense heat amplified by the sun and reflected by the sea and the white rocks will make hiking unpleasant in the middle of the day. Please be sure, there’re no restaurants at any of the three Calanques near Cassis. So take plenty of water along with headgear, sunblock and other necessary equipment. 

If weather is permitting, then you can walk to all three Calanques from the centre of Cassis. The first is to Port Miou, which you can reach in half an hour from the Cassis harbor front to the top of the Calanques. The Port Pin is half an hour from Port Miou and En Vau is another hour further. So overall two hour hike each way from Cassis Harbor. You can reach there by Car, Bus, and Train. Local peoples are most familiar with weather but they’d also check weather forecast before setting out their plan. 

                                                                                       Source: Charismatic Planet