Between 1896 and 2003 it was the longest navigable aqueduct in the world, until the opening of the Magdeburg Water Bridge.

The aqueduct was inaugurated on 16 September 1896 with the crossing of the boat Aristide, belonging to Ernest Guingamp.

It allowed the development of transport to the Freycinet gauge between the Loire and Seine, and is a registered historic monument in France.

These piers support a single steel beam in turn supporting a steel channel which contains more than 13,000 tonnes of water, 2.2 meters deep and 6 metres wide allowing boats with a 1.8m draught to cross.

Each end is marked by two ornamental columns in imitation of the Pont Alexandre III in Paris.