Gustave Flaubert Bridge, Rouen

The Gustave Flaubert Bridge is a spectacular vertical-lift bridge spanning the Seine River in Rouen, opened in 2008 and named after the famous French novelist born in this city. Standing 86 meters tall with its distinctive 'butterfly' steel structures atop the towers, it held the title of world's tallest lift bridge until 2013. The bridge features two independent mobile decks weighing 1,300 tonnes each that can rise 55 meters above the water in about 12 minutes, allowing massive cruise ships and tall sailing vessels to pass through to Rouen's port.