How to see and visit the imposing Millau Viaduct in the south of France

Millau Viaduct from the Tarn River in the South of France

In our travels through Spain and Europe, we commonly feel attracted by castles or great cathedrals that become objectives to visit.

But what about a modern and great viaduct?

I will tell you that the Millau Viaduct has become one of the tourist attractions of the Occitanie region in the south of France … and there are good reasons for it.

        

Millau Viaduct from the Tarn River in the South of France

This impressive viaduct that you can see near the small town of Millau, in the Aveyron department, is currently the highest multi-stayed viaduct in the world.

Indeed, seeing the Millau Viaduct and crossing it by car is one of the reasons to approach this city on, for example, a route through beautiful villages or the Templar villages in this area of ​​southern France.

What to see and do in Millau in the south of France

Millau is a small town of about 22,000 inhabitants, known in France for the artisan manufacture of gloves for haute couture brands, such as Channel, Loius Vuitton, and Hermes.

You can see this artisanal activity, of which there are currently four manufacturers, by visiting the Causse Gloves factory, whose activity dates back to 1893, of which 80 percent of the production goes to the brands mentioned above.

For the rest, Millau is famous for being a place to do various adventure activities such as paragliding, autogyro, or kayaking on the river.

The large viaduct in its day was built to prevent the road from passing through the city above Millau since, during vacation and festive times, it became a bottleneck on the route that crosses France from Paris to the southern coast of the Mediterranean.

Characteristics and dimensions of the Millau Viaduct

It was at the end of 2001 when the construction of the viaduct was decided, a work that took three years since it was finally inaugurated on December 14, 2004.

The project by French engineer Michel Virlogeux saves the sinuous valley opened by the River Tarn near Millau, supported by seven impressive concrete pillars.

The viaduct is two and a half kilometers long and has a maximum height of 343 meters above the river.

The total weight of the 8 sections of steel on which the two-lane highway runs in each direction is 350,000 tons.

Indeed you have already seen large viaducts on European roads, but I assure you that the Millau Viaduct is an impressive and memorable piece of architecture.

Also valuable is the fact that it has a 245-meter-high pillar, which gives it the previous world record.

How to see the Millau Viaduct in the south of France

There are several ways to see the viaduct, and I'll tell you in advance that driving over it doesn't allow you to see this modern architectural gem.

Of course, you have to cross it, as I did on my trip through Occitania, because this way you will be able to feel how the valley is saved and, above all, it will allow you to reach the Aire du Viaduc service area located on the northern edge of the valley mentioned above.

Driving over the viaduct, you will see a slight slope, which you will see in the panoramic view of it from the said service area.

The best way to see the Millau Viaduct is, on the one hand, from the roads around the city of Millau, where you can find viewpoints on some of them.

River excursions to see the Millau Viaduct

But, in particular, if you are very interested in appreciating its enormous dimensions, you have the possibility of signing up for a canoe ride on the Tarn River or an excursion with the Viaduct Boatmen.

This last option will allow you to navigate under the Millau Viaduct right in the area where it reaches its most significant height.

This excursion ends in Peyre, a small and pretty village in a curious location on the banks of the river and under some rocky cliffs.

Where is the Millau Viaduct Visitor Center

And if you want to learn more about the viaduct's history and its characteristics, our advice is to go to the Millau Viaduct Visitor Center, where information panels are available.

You find it on the D992 road, which from Millau runs parallel to the south bank of the Tarn River, just below one of the sections of the viaduct.

The Visitor Center hours are every day, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from April to October, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year.

In short, I advise you to include a curious and exciting visit in your route mentioned above by car through this area of ​​Occitania.

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