In Val-de-Reuil, the riverbed of the Eure, running parallel to the railway line, has historically formed a boundary between the town center and the multimodal transport hub. Within this transitional landscape, at the interface of natural, agricultural, and urban fabrics, the new footbridge repairs a major urban discontinuity by extending Rue Grande—the town’s primary pedestrian structuring axis—towards the station. It establishes a continuous, safe, and car-free connection for pedestrians and cyclists, now directly linking the town center, the transport interchange, and the banks of the Eure.
Conceived as an inhabited promenade, the footbridge goes beyond its sole function as a crossing structure. Its gently curving alignment occasionally widens to create pause points and moments of contemplation overlooking the fluvial landscape. Lateral seating ledges, with varying heights, emphasize the lightness of the deck and accompany the movement of the structure. Integrated with stainless-steel mesh guardrails forming backrests, they allow users to sit, recline, or stop, transforming the crossing into a true elevated public space.
Users may thus choose between a direct and fluid route or a slower, more meandering path, conducive to strolling, social interaction, and rest. The footbridge aligns with the continuity of the city’s characteristic elevated pedestrian network, reinforcing the legibility of soft mobility routes and strengthening the relationship to water.
The structure is built from Douglas fir glued-laminated timber, a deliberate choice supporting the ecological transition, reducing the carbon footprint by more than 30% compared to an equivalent steel footbridge. The prefabricated concrete slab decking provides long-term protection to the timber structure, reversing conventional construction logic while combining technical performance with environmental restraint.
At once infrastructure, public space, and belvedere, the Val-de-Reuil footbridge becomes a strong architectural and landscape landmark. It connects mobility networks, enhances the natural heritage of the Eure River, and asserts the image of an open city, attentive to the quality of use and to its landscape.