Inaugurated on 14 December 2004 by President Jacques Chirac, the Millau Viaduct is the tallest bridge in the world. With its roadway reaching 270 metres above the Tarn valley and its tallest pylon rising to 343 metres — higher than the Eiffel Tower — it spans the causses with an elegance that continues to surprise even those who have already seen it in photographs.
Designed by French engineer Michel Virlogeux and British architect Norman Foster, the viaduct is the result of five years of construction work, at times mobilising up to 600 workers simultaneously. It put an end to the notorious Millau traffic jam that blocked the N9 every summer.
This guide gives you everything you need to make the most of your visit.
270 mHeight of deck
343 mTallest pylon
2 460 mTotal length
Driving across
Taking the A75 motorway across the viaduct is the simplest — and arguably the most impressive — way to grasp its true scale. The crossing takes about two minutes. On a clear day you will have a striking panoramic view over the Tarn valley and the surrounding causses. The toll is approximately €10 for a standard car (rates vary slightly by season).
If you are staying in Millau, an early-morning return trip is well worth it: the mist that sometimes hangs in the valley below creates a rare spectacle, as if the viaduct were floating above the clouds.
A75 toll rates (indicative 2026)
Car (class 1): approx. €10.00 · Motorcycle: approx. €5.20 · Motorhome: approx. €14.50
Rates vary slightly between summer and winter season. Check cofiroute.fr for exact fares.
The viewpoints — where to admire the viaduct
Several signposted viewpoints let you take in the structure — these are the real, field-tested ones:
- Aire du Viaduc (Brocuéjouls) — the official viewing area on the north side, looking down onto the deck. From Millau, take the D911 towards Rodez, then at the Bergers roundabout follow Soulobres/Aire du Viaduc. Free access and parking (see our dedicated section below). GPS: 44.0949, 3.0252.
- Cap de Costes-Brunas — the finest south-side panorama, with an orientation table, above the village of Creissels. From Millau, take the D992 towards Albi; leaving Creissels, take the first left towards Brunas, then 5 km on a narrow road (light vehicles only). Also the local paragliding launch — sunsets here are superb. GPS: 44.0709, 3.0712.
- Luzençon lookout — at 650 m above Saint-Georges-de-Luzençon, overlooking the Tarn valley and the Grands Causses. Signposted from the village. GPS: 44.0649, 2.9693.
All of these are free and open year-round, with parking right by each viewpoint.
Our tip: pass underneath
These viewpoints offer an elevated view of the whole structure, but it is from below that you truly grasp the monumental scale of the viaduct. Seeing the piles rise above you from the valley floor gives an entirely different sense of what the numbers alone cannot convey.
We strongly recommend taking the road that passes underneath the viaduct towards the village of Peyre — a short detour that completely changes your perspective. This tiny medieval village, clinging to the cliff face at the foot of the structure, offers one of the most singular settings in all of Aveyron. An experience not to be missed. (Parking du Rocher above the village — GPS: 44.0915, 2.9990.)
The Aire du Viaduc — a motorway stop worth planning
Just north of the bridge on the A75, built around the restored caussenard farm of Brocuéjouls, the Aire du Viaduc de Millau is far more than a service station. It houses a shop selling Aveyron farm produce, a casual eatery created by a celebrated Aveyron chef — try the capucin, a cone of bread dough baked to order and filled — and a footpath leading to a direct view of the deck.
Good to know: the rest area is also reachable free of charge from the local road network (exit 45, towards Millau), without driving the toll section. If you are arriving from the north, it makes an excellent first stop.
From the river — and from the sky
For a perspective most visitors never take the time to discover, paddle the Tarn by canoe or join a traditional boat trip from Creissels: drifting beneath the piers, nearly 270 metres below the deck, is an experience the viewpoints cannot match. Half-day canoe descents are easy to arrange from Millau — we cover the routes in our Tarn canoeing guide.
The boldest option is a tandem paragliding flight. Millau is one of France's great free-flight sites, and flights over the valley give a unique aerial view of the bridge — see our paragliding in Millau article.
When to come — light and seasons
- Sunrise (autumn) — on September–November mornings a sea of cloud often fills the Tarn valley, leaving only the pylons emerging from the fog. The viaduct's most photographed spectacle.
- Late afternoon — low light gilds the stay cables — superb from Brunas or the Aire du Viaduc. The best hour for the classic shot.
- Night — the permanent illumination is best seen from the heights of Millau or the Pont Lerouge.
- July–August — the Aire du Viaduc and Peyre get crowded midday; go early morning or after 6pm.
Getting there from Millau
From the centre of Millau, allow 10 minutes by car to reach the foot of the viaduct on the D992 (towards Albi), which passes beneath the bridge before reaching Peyre. The Brunas viewpoint is 15 minutes via Creissels, the Aire du Viaduc 12 minutes via the D911 (or exit 45). No public transport serves the viewpoints — you will need a car or motorbike.
Millau Viaduct — frequently asked questions
Can you walk across the viaduct?
No — it carries the A75 motorway, closed to pedestrians and cyclists. The one exception is the Course Eiffage du Viaduc de Millau, a running race held every two years. On foot, head for the Aire du Viaduc, Brunas or the village of Peyre.
How much is the toll?
Around €10–12 for a car, more in July–August; roughly half for a motorbike. It is the only toll on the A75 between Clermont-Ferrand and Béziers.
Is it free to visit?
Yes. The Aire du Viaduc, Brunas, the Luzençon lookout, Peyre and the roads under the bridge are free all year. You only pay to drive across.
What is the best viewpoint?
The Aire du Viaduc for the most accessible view from above (ideal with children); Cap de Costes-Brunas for the south-side panorama; the village of Peyre for the most dramatic view from below; the Aire du Viaduc for easy access with children.
How long should I allow?
Half a day covers the Aire du Viaduc, the drive underneath and Peyre. Staying overnight in Millau adds sunrise or the illuminated bridge.
Where should I stay?
In Millau, 10 minutes by car from every viewpoint. Our hotel, Hôtel des Causses, is right in the centre — air-conditioned rooms, a secure motorbike garage and a restaurant on site.
Going further: our local guide to the best viewpoints, and the official Aveyron tourism website for everything else in the region.
