View of the Saint-Nazaire Bridge

The viewpoint over the Saint-Nazaire bridge

The Saint-Nazaire audio-guided tour leads you to a balcony open over the immensity of the Loire estuary and over the slender silhouette of the Saint-Nazaire bridge.

A balcony over the estuary

At the foot of the Vieux Mole lighthouse, the first port structure of the city dating from 1835, opens a panorama over the calm of the Loire estuary and, beyond, over the Atlantic Ocean. On the horizon stands out the Saint-Nazaire bridge, inaugurated in 1975 after three years of work. With its 3,356 metres of length, supported by dozens of stays, it was for a long time the longest bridge in France. Accessible to vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles, it connects Saint-Nazaire to Saint-Brevin more than 60 metres above the water. Its crossing, at first subject to a charge, became free on 1 October 1994, after the removal of the toll. Its elegant curve, punctuated by red and white pylons, has become one of the symbols of the entrance to the city.

What there is to see

The viewpoint offers an open panorama over the estuary, the ocean and the great cable-stayed bridge. One observes there the ballet of ships reaching the port terminals and the changing light on the water. It is a peaceful stop, ideal for contemplating the horizon and photographing the silhouette of the bridge that connects the two banks of the Loire.

Practical information

The viewpoint is at the foot of the Vieux Mole lighthouse, at the tip of the port of Saint-Nazaire. Accessible freely on foot at all hours, it is particularly pleasant off-season, in the calm of the estuary.

When was the Saint-Nazaire bridge inaugurated?

In 1975, after three years of work; 3,356 metres long, it connects Saint-Nazaire to Saint-Brevin over the estuary.

Is the crossing of the bridge subject to a charge?

No: at first subject to a charge, it became free on 1 October 1994, after the removal of the toll.