Millau Viaduct

architecture · bridges · engineering · France

Record-breaking height. The Millau Viaduct reaches 343 meters (1,125 feet) into the air, taller than the Statue of Liberty. From 2004 until late 2025, it was the tallest bridge in the entire world.

Crossing the Tarn Valley. This bridge spans across a deep gorge carved by the Tarn River near the town of Millau in Southern France. It connects two sides of a valley that would otherwise require a long detour.

Brilliant design team. A famous English architect named Norman Foster and engineer Michel Virlogeux led the team that created this masterpiece. Their cable-stayed design uses cables stretching from tall towers to hold up the bridge deck.

Finished in 2004. After years of planning and construction, the Millau Viaduct opened to traffic in 2004, becoming an instant wonder of modern engineering.