The Millau Viaduct
A viaduct taller than the Eiffel Tower !
The viaduct itself is definitely worth seeing ! But it does not detract from the treasures of the Art and History town of Millau asurrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Parc Naturel Régional des Grands Causses, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Millau owes its fame to leather production and glove-making too. It is a town with a rich history but also has an eye to the future as an outdoor sports capital.
The town has already hosted the Rock-climbing World Cup and the Natural Games Festival and has invested in numerous facilities over the past few years : trail running tracks, footpaths, Via Ferrata and rock-climbing routes. If you’re looking for a relaxing holiday or outdoor sports and activities, good food or places of interest, you will find everything you need here : peace and quiet, plenty of activities and magnificent, unspoilt scenery !
The Millau Viaduct is by far the biggest visitor attraction in Aveyron. Over a million visitors every year stop at the Brocuéjouls viewing area beside the A75 southbound, just after the toll booths. Its triangular shaped cables and pillars give it the appearance of a ship floating above the Tarn Valley. It is 2,460m long and is 349m at its highest point, 19m higher than the Eiffel Tower. The tallest pier is 245m and 85,000m³ (206,000 tonnes) of concrete were used in its construction. Although the Viaduct brought Millau right up to date, it did not erase its history which is outlined at the Gallo-Roman site of Gaufrenque and the Musée de Millau and represented by numerous buildings such as the church of Notre Dame de l’Espinasse, the Belltower and the ‘lavoir’ (wash pool) at Ayrolle. The town’s architecture passes from the Middle Ages through the Age of Enlightenment to the 19th century, the golden age of the leather and glove-making trades for which Millau is still renowned today.
Millau, between Roquefort and the Larzac
The village of Roquefort has a special place in the ancestral art of cheese making thanks to the natural underground caves (fleurines) where the cheese is matured and the Lacaune sheep which supply the milk. Pastoralia discovery centre at Saint Affrique explores the world of sheep farming in a fun way, while the village of Compeyre showcases AOC Côte de Millau wine. Millau has preserved a method of mixed farming unique in Europe in the lunar landscape of Larzac where the Knights Templar and Hospitaller left their mark at five fortified sites : La Couvertoirade, La Cavalerie, Sainte Eulalie de Cernon, Saint Jean d’Alcas and Viala du Pas de Jaux. Further south, an international festival of sacred music takes place every summer at the Cistercian Abbey of Sylvanes.
What to do around Millau
Choose your style of walk from leisurely strolls to serious hikes !
The GR62 and 71D hiking paths run through the area, crossing many trails and circular walks lasting between 1 and 5 hours.
Trail-running : the new sporting trend of running through the heart of the countryside ! Millau has a special trail-running area which is open all year round – the Millau Espace Trail and its 14 different training routes – and is the venue for numerous races throughout the year : Festival des Templiers, 100km de Millau, Verticausse, Trail du Roc de la Lune, Trail des Hospitaliers, Ronde des Cabanières.
Mountain biking including electric mountain biking, « Enduro » mountain bike racing and « La Caussenarde ».
Canoes, kayaks and other craft on the Tarn (tranquil river) and the Dourbie (river full of surprises).
Canyoning
Aquatrekking and other aquatic activities : Hot-dog kayaks, mini-rafts - rafting - stand-up paddle boarding – river boarding
Caving, rock-climbing, Via Ferrata
Adventure trails
Free flying (paragliding, hang-gliding) !
Bungee jumping
Slacklining
Rallying : Rallye Terre de Cardabelles,
Culture : « Millau Jazz Festival »"
Our selection of accommodations
Our new accommodations
Lodging
Gite "Emeraude Design & Nature"
in Mostuéjouls - Aveyron
