The best things to see in Millau and visit its Viaduct (South France)

On our trips through Spain and Europe it is common for us to feel attracted to castles o great cathedrals that become objectives to visit.

But what about a modern and large viaduct?

I will tell you that the Millau Viaduct It has become one of the tourist attractions of the Occitania region al South of France…and there are good reasons for this.

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

Indeed, see the Millau Viaduct and crossing it by car is one of the reasons to approach said city in, for example, a route through beautiful towns or templar towns in this area of South of France.

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

Millau is a small city of about 22.000 inhabitants, known in France for the artisanal production of gloves for haute couture brandsas Channel, Louis Vuitton o Hermes.

This artisanal activity, of which there are currently four manufacturers, can be seen by visiting the factory. Causse Gloves, whose activity dates back to 1893, and of which 80 percent of the production is destined for the aforementioned brands.

Otherwise, Millau It is famous for being a place to do various Adventure activities as paragliding, autogyro o kayak river trips.

The huge viaduct At the time it was built to prevent the road from passing through the aforementioned city of Millau, because during vacation and festive times it became a bottleneck on the route that crosses France from Paris to the south coast of Mediterranean coast.

Characteristics and dimensions of the Millau Viaduct

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

The French engineer's project Michel virlogeux save the winding valley that opens the Tarn river in the vicinity of 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 steel sections on which the two-lane highway runs in each direction is 350.000 tons.

Surely you have already seen large viaducts on European roads, but I assure you that the Millau Viaduct It is an impressive and very special work of architecture.

Also useful is the fact that it has a pillar 245 meters high, which gives it the aforementioned world record.

How to see the Millau Viaduct

There are several ways see the viaduct, and I can tell you that driving over it in no way allows you to see this modern architectural jewel.

Of course you must cross it, just as I did in 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 service area Viaduct area located on the northern edge of the aforementioned valley.

Driving on the viaduct you will see that it has a slight slope, which you will see in the panoramic view you have of it from 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 on some of which you find viewpoints.

River tours to see the Millau Viaduct

But, specifically, if you are very interested in appreciating its enormous dimensions, you have the possibility of signing up for a canoe ride by Tarn river, or to one excursion with the Viaduct Boatmen.

This last option will allow you sail beneath the Millau Viaduct right in the area where it reaches its greatest height.

This excursion ends in peyré, 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 deepen your knowledge of the history of the viaduct and its characteristics, the advice is that you approach the Millau Viaduct Visitor Center, where information panels are available

You find it on the road D992 that since Millau runs parallel along the south bank of the Tarn river, just below one of the sections of the viaduct.

The Visitor Center hours They are every day of the year, from 10 a.m. to 19 p.m. from April to October, and from 10 a.m. to 17 p.m. the rest of the year.

In short, a curious and interesting visit that I advise you to include in your aforementioned car route through this area of Occitania.

Map: how to get to the Millau Viaduct