Millau Viaduct facts for kids
The Millau Viaduct is a huge bridge in Millau, France. It is located in a part of France called Aveyron. This amazing bridge was designed by a French engineer named Michel Virlogeux. A British architect, Sir Norman Foster, also helped design it.
Before this bridge was built, cars had a tough time. Traffic had to drive down into the Tarn river valley. They would pass through the town of Millau on route N9. This caused huge traffic jams, especially in July and August when people were on vacation.
Now, the bridge crosses high above the Tarn valley. It connects two areas: the Causse du Larzac and the Causse Rouge. The bridge is also located within the beautiful Grands Causses regional natural park.
The Millau Viaduct is the final part of the A75 autoroute. This highway is also known as "la Méridienne." It runs from Clermont-Ferrand all the way to Béziers. The A75, along with the A10 and A71 highways, creates a fast route. This route goes south from Paris through Clermont-Ferrand. It continues to the Languedoc region and then into Spain. This makes travel much faster and cheaper for drivers. Many tourists going to southern France and Spain use this route. It is very direct. Plus, it has no tolls for 340 km between Clermont-Ferrand and Pézenas, except for the bridge itself.
Images for kids
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The four proposed routes for the new A75 autoroute around Millau
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Satellite image of the proposed route before construction of the bridge
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The northern half of the road deck being slowly launched across the pylons. View from the west in early 2004
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The Millau Viaduct and the town of Creissels
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A pylon under construction
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View of the rest area with the 'Ferme de Brocuéjouls'
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See also
In Spanish: Viaducto de Millau para niños
