The bridge's design was led by French engineer Michel Virlogeux, who also worked on the Millau Viaduct.
The two concrete pylons supporting the deck reach 215 meters in height.
The structure contains 19,000 tons of steel and 184,000 cubic meters of concrete.
The deck is aerodynamic to prevent oscillations caused by the heavy winds common in the Seine estuary.
Construction required 3,000 kilometers of steel wire for the cable stays.
The bridge is designed to allow large cruise ships and cargo vessels to pass beneath it with a vertical clearance of 52 meters.
The Pont de Normandie is a cable-stayed bridge spanning the Seine estuary between Honfleur and Le Havre. Completed in 1995, it held the record for the world's longest cable-stayed bridge for over a decade. The structure features a main span of 856 meters and a total length of 2,141 meters. It serves as a vital transportation link for the A29 motorway while accommodating pedestrians and cyclists on a dedicated path. The bridge deck is suspended by 184 cables arranged in two harp-patterned fans. Engineered to withstand high wind speeds, the steel and concrete deck exhibits significant flexibility. It serves as a prominent landmark in the Normandy region, connecting the departments of Calvados and Seine-Maritime.
The pedestrian pathway midway across the bridge offers the best perspective of the suspension cables.
Walk or cycle the dedicated path for elevated views of the Seine estuary and the port of Le Havre.
Bring wind-resistant clothing as the height and open location create strong gusts, even on calm days.
Ensure you have a camera with a wide-angle lens to capture the scale of the pylon architecture.
Attempting to cross on foot during extreme weather warnings, as the path can become hazardous due to high wind speeds.
