Millau bridge

Visit Millau bridge, Midi-Pyrenees

Millau Bridge (officially Millau Viaduct) is a road-bridge spanning the valley of the River Tarn near Millau in southern France. It was designed by the renowned 'modern architect' Norman Foster, working with French engineer Michel Virlogeux.

Among other remarkable features it is the tallest vehicle bridge in the world. The highest pier has a height falling between that of the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building. The viaduct is nearly twice as tall as the previous tallest vehicular bridge in Europe, the Europabrücke in Austria.

The Millau bridge was opened to traffic on 16 December 2004 to immediate fame and acclaim.

Millau Viaduct is located in Millau, Languedoc - the bridge was built to relieve heavy congestion on the roads during the summer holiday season - it is the last section of the A75 motorway that leads to the Mediterranean coastal resorts. The Millau bridge falls inside the Grands Causses regional natural park.

Visiting Millau Bridge

In addition to being a major improvement to the road system in the region, the bridge has also received critical acclaim and become an immediate tourist attraction in its own right.

There are a number of options available for a visit to the bridge. Crossing it is of course an option, but not worth doing unless your journey warrants it.  You don’t get much of a view because of the barriers and you are not allowed to stop on the bridge.

You can have an easy ride by parking in the town centre and taking the tourist bus from the Tourist Information Office.  This will enable you to get the best possible views, photo opportunities and of course a running commentary on the construction from infancy to completion.

You can also visit the official information site underneath the bridge where there is a little museum with photographs of the build, a film to show the progression of the site and various souvenirs to buy.

Or, my preferred option, to visit the information site on the north side of the bridge, where you can again get a historical perspective of the build, but also take the opportunity to walk up to a viewing point high above the bridge itself where you can get some spectacular photos.  Be warned though, there is a long and steep flight of steps to navigate to get up there.

photo is copyright

Suggested places to visit near Millau bridge, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Gorges du Tarn 31km; Brousse-le-Chateau 33km; Saint-Chely-du-Tarn 40km; Sainte-Eulalie-d'Olt 42km; Sainte-Enimie 44km; Castelbouc 45km; Rodez 46km; Lodeve 46km; Montbrun 48km; Le Vigan 48km; Saint-Come-d'Olt 50km; Cevennes National Park 52km; Espalion 52km; Florac 53km; Marvejols 56km; Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert 58km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Millau bridge

Millau bridge tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Grands Causses - regional natural parc (7km) : Chaos de Montpellier-le-Vieux - site of natural beauty (17km) : Abbaye de Sylvanès (Sylvanes) - religious monument (29km) : Aven Armand (grotte) - site of natural beauty (31km) : Eglise de Saint-Cirice (Brousse-le-Chateau) - religious monument (33km) : Abîme de Bramabiau - site of natural beauty (36km) : Cirque de Vissec - site of natural beauty (41km) : Chaos de Nimes-le-Vieux - site of natural beauty (42km) :

French version: see Millau bridge (Francais)