Visit the Millau Viaduct, bridge of all the records that span the Tarn

Everything you need to know about the Viaduct de Millau: its record numbers, how to visit it, its most beautiful pictures...

Did you know that nearly 2,200 years ago, the city of Millau already owned a stone bridge that was built by the Romans to cross the Tarn? This bridge does not exist anymore, but the Viaduc can pride itself on having made a new technological prowess. The development of a very large bridge is always a very interesting experience of technical and scientific aspects, the architecture to draw, and the very history of the project.

The Viaduct de Millau is the conclusion of a formidable project of such importance because between its conception and its completion, it is hundreds of men (estimated at 600 workers at the height of the construction site) who have joined together and have provided all their energy, their know-how, their ingenuity so that this project becomes a singular work in France .

Let's go together for the visit of the Viaduct de Millau, a bridge that offers a superb view of the Tarn valley!

Long-term work

In the three-year period, between October 2001 and December 2004, one of the most ambitious projects emerged for an unprecedented wonder. Even if the first sketches were made in 1987, it would have taken almost 17 years to have the Viaduc, representing the missing link of the A 75 motorway, could see the day.

The viaduct, inaugurated by Jacques Chirac, then President of the Republic, on 14 December 2004, opens up to traffic on 17 December 2004, allowing to unravel the road traffic which remained severely slowed every summer on the road to the Larzac Plateau.

The first studies were launched by the state services (SETRA – Service d’Etudes pour les Transports). Afterwards, an international competition was launched with an extremely precise booklet that was won by the English architect Lord Norman Foster.

He was joined by Michel Virlogeux for the idea, this man being already known to be the designer of the bridge of Normandy.

Finally, the Eiffage Group has ensured the full implementation of this long-term work. The construction of two additional viaducts was necessary for the crossing of the Tarn valley: the Viaduct de Verrières and the Viaduct de la Garrigue.

With regard to the cost of this titanium construction site, it amounts to 394 million euros. Today, some nickname the Viaduct de Millau the “bridge of the Gard of the 21st century” so its elaboration represents the culmination of many stages and a perfect mastery of advanced technologies such as laser and GPS. For each stage, the architects, the workers and the masters of works demonstrated rigour, precision and professionalism.

Where to find the Millau Viaduct?

The Millau Viaduct is the most spectacular link of what is called La Méridienne, namely the A 75 motorway that connects Clermont-Ferrand and Beziers and Narbonne.

On both sides of the entrance of the Viaduct, a large portico constantly displays warning messages to prevent motorists. With regard to road traffic, it is estimated that 10,000 vehicles per day on average over the year with a peak during the summer of 30,000 vehicles. Such a building is capable of absorbing 35,000 vehicles a day without slowing down. To monitor traffic, 18 cameras are spread over the bridge.

Today, it is the least costly and surely the most fluid route to the Mediterranean from Paris. Located at the entrance of Gorges du Tarn The Viaduct de Millau is based on the Red Causse (near the Levézou) and the Larzac Causse. It is, of course, located near the city of Millau which is known for its art and history and to be also an outdoor sports capital, such as kayaking or climbing.

To access it, you can, at the option, borrow the A 75 motorway at the level of exit No. 45 “ Viaduct area” or follow “ Viaduct area” on the D 911 from Millau.

The prodigious figures of the Viaduct de Millau

Today, the Viaduct de Millau stands proudly above the Tarn valley and receives the visit of thousands of curious every year between tourists, journalists, lovers of extraordinary architecture and of course motorists who borrow it every day.

Here, the Viaduc is a work called "multi-haubanné", it consists of 7 slender batteries and a apron with a small height. Long about 2460 meters, the Viaduc de Millau is slightly curved, giving the illusion of an interminable viaduct.

It is equipped with very heavy safety barriers and Plexiglas protective screens with a height of 3 meters for users against wind gusts that come on the sides.

Wide of 32 meters (the equivalent of 17 menstrual arms), the bridge apron is completely continuous on its 8 tracks: 2 travees from the shores are 204 meters, 6 common travees are 342 meters long.

The apron, completely metallic, crosses the Tarn at an altitude of 268 metres. It is suspended thanks to 154 7 pylons steel haubans each measuring 87 metres (equivalent to a 27-storey building). These haubans undeniably mark the identity of the Viaduct which connects the Red Causse and the Larzac Causse more precisely.

The amazing numbers of the Millau Viaduct

To better understand why the Viaduct de Millau is a “monster” of architecture, a kind of wonder of French know-how and ingenuity in construction, here are some additional figures that will give you the tournis:

• The Millau Viaduct weighs, as a whole, 206.000 tons (5 times the total weight of the Charles-de-Gaules carrier when full)
• The weight of the apron is estimated at 36,000 tons, equivalent to 4 Eiffel Towers or weight of 5100 elephants
• The apron accommodates a 2 x 2 motorway and 2 emergency routes
• Its maximum height is 343 metres while the Eiffel Tower is only 324 metres
• There are 7 batteries to support it, with an individual weight of 650 tons
• The height of the P2, the highest stack: 343 meters. This is the highest battery in the world
• There are 154 haubans whose voltage oscillates between 900 and 1200 tons
• The total duration of the concession is 78 years (3 years of construction + 75 years of operation).

With extraordinary dimensions and resolutely modern aesthetics, the Millau Viaduct does not leave indifferent. This incredible challenge forces the admiration of all those who discover it by car or take it in photo.

Can we visit the Millau Viaduct and how to do it?

With as a showcase a breathtaking heritage, the Viaduct de Millau is obviously the subject of visits. To admire the book and to know its history, two possibilities are available to you:

• Viaduc Expo : interactive and dynamic museum space, the Viaduc Expo offers a total immersion and... free! Let yourself be carried by a staging on 220 m2 of technology and images that will carry you into the world of the work. Located on the Viaduct de Millau, the space is accessible in both directions from the A75 motorway, or from Millau by the D911 and the Viaduct boulevard.
• Guided tour : to you the Trail of the Explorers, an old construction site track today marked with maquettes size nature. Take advantage of this visit to discover in particular the function of the translater (a technological innovation of the Eiffage Group) and to finish... Access the new window: just under the apron, a breathtaking view awaits you.

Would you like to visit the nickname P2, stack of the highest building in the world? Know that the latter is now only accessible to groups (18 people maximum).

For more information (tariffs, schedules), do not hesitate to consult the official website Millau Viaduct.

The Millau Viaduct, which has gained international renown and has already boosted tourism in the Aveyron region, is now considered to be an architectural reference of the most important of this 21st century.

And have you ever seen this giant of concrete and iron in one of your trips?