Millau Viaduct, a major landmark in Aveyron
The Millau Viaduct is one of the most famous bridges in the world, a true masterpiece of engineering.
This colossal steel and concrete structure gracefully spans the Tarn Valley at its lowest point, near the town of Millau, and connects the Causse Noir region to the Causse du Larzac.
Its white silhouette stands out against the backdrop of red and ochre soil, sparse vegetation, and dark oak forests, drawing the eye for miles around.
Yet, it blends harmoniously with the wild beauty of the countless canyons and valleys of the high plateaus of the Causses.
A viaduct to bypass Millau
The Millau Viaduct supports a crucial section of the A75 motorway, known as La Méridienne, which connects Clermont-Ferrand to Béziers.
Its construction diverted traffic through the town of Millau, thus ending the nightmarish traffic jams of the summer season.
Indeed, the N9 (Route Nationale), the main route leading to the sunny Mediterranean beaches, runs through Millau!
The town’s narrow streets were poorly suited for heavy traffic and were quickly congested.
These traffic jams not only caused frustration but also increased pollution, as carbon dioxide became trapped between buildings.
The construction of the viaduct was therefore a welcome solution for bypassing Millau and resolving the traffic problems.
Despite this, some holidaymakers still prefer to take the N9 to avoid paying the toll, which varies depending on the type of vehicle and the season.
Driving through Millau is obviously slower than going over the viaduct, but it’s free!
A feat of engineering and architecture
The Millau Viaduct is the result of a collaboration between French engineer Michel Virlogeux and English architect Norman Foster, and is a superb feat of technical and architectural ingenuity. Its construction began in early 2002 and was completed in a record three years.
Seven imposing 87-meter-high piers support and anchor the 2,500-meter-long and 32-meter-wide bridge, and steel cables stabilise its upper section.
The tallest pier reaches an impressive height of 245 metres and is, of course, positioned at the lowest point of the valley. If we add the total height of the pylon to that of the roadway, we arrive at a staggering total height of 343 metres, 19 metres taller than the famous Eiffel Tower!
Such a monumental structure obviously required astronomical quantities of materials, including 250,000 tons of concrete and 36,000 tons of steel.
The Millau Viaduct is undeniably in a category of its own for its engineering, innovation, functionality, and aesthetics.
The highest cable-stayed bridge-road in the world
The Millau Viaduct is the world’s tallest cable-stayed road bridge.
However, beyond its impressive size and aesthetic appeal, the viaduct was designed to withstand earthquakes and extreme weather conditions.
It was inaugurated on December 14, 2004, and it was opened to traffic two days later.
The viaduct has become the iconic symbol of Millau, its main landmark and a major tourist attraction.
It has also allowed many tourists to discover the wild beauty and rich, often overlooked, cultural heritage of the Aveyron region.
After leaving Millau, you will find a perfect viewpoint on the south bank of the Tarn, offering a breathtaking panorama of this engineering masterpiece, the town, and the magnificent surrounding landscape.
Department of Aveyron
Coordinates Millau Viaduct: Lat 44.081376 – Long 3.020749
