Rising dramatically above the Tarn Valley in southern France, the Millau Viaduct arcs gracefully between the limestone plateaus. This is the highest bridge in the world, taller than the Eiffel Tower, and a modern engineering masterpiece that blends in beautifully with the surrounding landscape. From epic viewpoints and local cheeses to medieval villages and paragliding thrills, here’s all you need to know about visiting the Millau Viaduct.
Where is the Millau Viaduct?
The Millau (pronounced Mee-yoh) Viaduct is near the town of Millau in the département of Aveyron in the Occitanie region of southern France. It stretches across the Tarn River between the Lévézou plateau to the north and the Causse du Larzac to the south, within the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park. Part of the A75 motorway, it’s one of the main routes connecting Paris to the Mediterranean. It’s around a 2.5-hour drive from Toulouse and just over an hour from Montpellier.
Why was the Millau Viaduct built?
Traffic through Millau had become a serious problem by the 1980s, with holiday tailbacks stretching up to 20 km. The viaduct was designed to ease that congestion and provide a more direct route into the south. Designed by English architect Norman Foster, construction began in 2001, and it officially opened in 2004.
Is the Millau Viaduct the highest bridge in France?
The Millau Viaduct holds the title of both the highest bridge in France and the highest bridge in the world, measured from the ground to the road deck – the long, flat surface that traffic drives across.
How tall is the Millau Viaduct?
At its peak, the deck stretches 270 metres above the Tarn River. Its tallest pier, one of the slender concrete columns supporting the bridge, measures 343 metres from base to top. That once made it the tallest bridge in the world, too, although that record now belongs to the Chenab Bridge in India.
(It’s easy to mix up the highest and tallest. Highest means the greatest vertical distance from the ground or valley floor to the road deck. Tallest refers to the total height of the structure itself.)
How long is the Millau Viaduct?
At 2.46 km long, it’s far from being the longest bridge in the world. The Danyang-Kunshan bridge in China holds that title at a jaw-dropping 164 km! Even so, Millau stands out. Its slender design and gently curving deck were made to complement the surrounding terrain. And if you’re lucky enough to see it on a foggy day, it appears to float above the clouds.
Crossing the Millau Viaduct
Like most bridges, there’s a toll charge to cross it. The toll booth is on the north side of the viaduct and the toll is updated each February. It currently costs €13.70 in summer and €11.20 out of peak season. If you arrive in summer, crossing early in the morning or later in the day will help you avoid any queues.
Can you walk across the Millau Viaduct?
Neither pedestrians or cyclists are allowed on the viaduct. There’s no footpath or cycle lane, and stopping on the bridge is forbidden outside special events. But if you time it right and fancy lacing up your running shoes (and have a head for heights), the only way to cross the Millau Viaduct on foot is by signing up for the 23.7 km Eiffage Millau Viaduct Race, held every two years in September. The event closes the bridge to traffic and lets thousands of runners take in the views from a perspective most people never get to see.
You may not be able to cycle across the viaduct, but you can get some amazing views from some of the side roads and cycle paths. This part of France has some of the most scenic countryside in the whole of France, and you’ll find plenty of hiking and mountain bike trails within the national park.
Where is the best view of Millau Viaduct
For the best photo opportunities, head to Cap de Costes-Brunas, a lookout just 5 km from Millau on the D992 towards Toulouse. It’s well signposted and has panoramic views of the bridge stretched across the valley. Another great spot is the bend in the D41, the winding road into Millau from the south, which gives you a wide-angle view of both the viaduct and the town below.
Stop at the Ferme de Brocuéjouls, the official visitor centre, just before the toll booth. Climb up to the Belvedere for the views, or learn more about the viaduct’s history and construction on a guided tour for €6. You’ll even find a gastronomic corner offering local treats like “Capucins” by Michelin-starred chef Michel Bras
For a scenic, historic photo, visit Peyre, a hillside village listed among the Plus Beaux Villages de France. The view of the viaduct from its stone lanes is one of the best in the region. But, for a different and perhaps more exciting view, you can pass under the viaduct by canoe or take to the skies in a paraglider.
What is there to do near the Millau Viaduct
Millau is an outdoor lover’s paradise. It’s adventure galore with activities such as hiking, mountain biking, trail running, canyoning, canoeing, rock climbing popular throughout the region.
If that sounds too energetic, history buffs will appreciate the rich past of this corner of southern France. Nearby villages such as La Couvertoirade and Sainte-Eulalie-de-Cernon were once strongholds of the Knights Templar, and their medieval architecture is still well preserved. You’ll also find Roman remains, old mills, and centuries-old stone hamlets scattered across the Grands Causses.
And if you’re more into eating than exerting yourself, Millau is in the heart of cheese-making country. The famous Roquefort caves are nearby and there’s even a cheese route – the Route des Fromages – a self-guided trail through Aveyron’s best cheese producers and markets.
You’ll also find some surprisingly good local wines. Aveyron may not be a well known wine growing region but you can go for a tasting at Vignerons des Côtes de Millau in the nearby village of Compeyre, where you can sample local wines in a semi-troglodyte cellar built into the limestone cliffs. It’s the perfect pairing for a wedge of Roquefort.
For more information on any of these activities, contact the tourist information office at Millau. And if you’re planning on visiting Toulouse while you’re in the region, have a look at the best restaurants in Toulouse and the best hotels in Toulouse.
