Millau Viaduct
Facts and practical information
The Millau Viaduct is an engineering marvel that gracefully spans the Tarn River valley in southern France. This cable-stayed bridge, completed in 2004, holds the record for the tallest bridge in the world, with its highest tower reaching an impressive 343 meters. Designed by the British architect, Sir Norman Foster, and French structural engineer, Michel Virlogeux, the Millau Viaduct is a testament to modern design and engineering.
Stretching over 2.5 kilometers, the bridge is part of the A75-A71 autoroute axis from Paris to Béziers and Montpellier. It was constructed to alleviate summer traffic congestion on the route to Spain and to provide a high-speed highway connection. The Millau Viaduct's sleek, minimalist design not only serves a functional purpose but also complements the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.
With seven slender pylons and a roadway seemingly floating above the valley, the viaduct offers drivers a unique and breathtaking perspective of the French countryside. The bridge has also become a tourist attraction in its own right, with dedicated viewing areas providing visitors the opportunity to appreciate both the structure itself and the panoramic views it offers.
Occitanie