Millau Viaduct - the World's greatest bridges
Is anyone watching the programme on the Millau viaduct, which started at 8.00 pm tonight (Friday) on Channel 5? It's really interesting, especially to my OH who has been interested in the bridge since it was first planned. We holidayed a lot in that area and used to put bets on exactly where the bridge would go and when it would be finished. OH and I actually flew to Rodez to drive across it on opening day, and were amongst the first people to cross.
We still love that whol area - and if anyone does want to see it I can whole-heartedly recommend the Gorges du Tarn for a great holiday.
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I was out at grand-daughter's school musical last night so I will watch it on catch-up tonight. Only driven over it one way though and it's certainly impressive. There was a TV programme a year or so back about the technical aspects of the build which was fascinating.
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In 2004 we were staying in Millau and watched from our pitch on Les Rivages camp site as they were erecting the cable pillars. Each day there would be obvious progress. We agreed that we would go over it one day but, I have got to say, it is more impressive looking at it from below rather than driving over it when you don't really get any impression of how high up you are.
The programme was excellent although they didn't show very much about how the two halves of the deck were pushed out from either side of the valley. The programme mentioned the visitor area on the north side which always seems to be very busy and from where there is a good vantage point for photos but we were surprised that, for a brand new facility, they only installed continental type loos. (I know that is a very minor point). During construction there was a small but very interesting visitor centre on the south side between pillars 6 and 7. Standing by the pillar and looking up really gave a sense of the enormous height.
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When I was in Cadiz the year before last, they were in the middle of a large bridge construction. If this website wasn't so fiddly, I'd post a pic.
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First crossed in 2010 after an overnight at Camping Les Peupliers. Remember it as we had a flat tyre as we went to leave which meant emptying the boot to get at the spare.
We crossed again this year and, as before, stopped at the services jus before the bridge for a coffee and stroll to see the view.
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Hi eurortraveller, I have let Highways England know that the road bridge has disappeared. Must have been last night as I used it at about half five.
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I think the continental loos have now been replaced. I actually wrote a letter of complaint to the Mairie in Millau, as when the viewing area was originally opened (yes we were there as well) even the disabled loo was a 'squatter' which is an absolute disgrace in this day and age!. I really couldn't believe it. That was soon replaced, but I rather think that last time we visited the loo I used was 'normal'!
The viaduct opened on 16th December 2004 to traffic, though the official opening was two days before.
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Hi Val, well here is a bog standard reply.
On Sunday 4th June 2017 the toilets were in a temporary building to the rear........of the visitor centre. The toilets were OK but the access was a bit iffy.
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