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 (2025)
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
Two dedicated viewpoints let you take in the structure from the valley floor:
- Bélvédère nord — accessible from the D992, this is where the most iconic photographs are taken. Complete view of the entire viaduct and valley. Particularly spectacular in the late afternoon when low-angled light turns the pylons gold. Free access, free parking.
- Bélvédère sud — less crowded, it offers a different perspective closer to the central piles, ideal for appreciating the sheer verticality of the structure. Free access, free parking.
Both viewpoints are accessible year-round. Allow around 20 minutes of walking on marked paths from the car parks.
Our tip: pass underneath
The two 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.
The Espace Infos Viaduc
Located at the foot of the viaduct on the Millau side, this free information centre tells the story of the construction, the technical challenges overcome, and the mind-boggling numbers behind the project. A worthwhile stop — especially if you are travelling with children. Open April to October, free entry.
