# walking across the Millau viaduct in France (world's tallest bridge) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 23, 2007, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379 "2007-02-23T15:10:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quentin\_S.Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/43a26b/32.png) [@Quentin\_S.Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quentin_S.Smith)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2007, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/1 "2007-02-23T15:10:30Z")
The tallest bridge in the world is in France > **[Millau Viaduct](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millau_Viaduct)** > > The Millau Viaduct (French: Viaduc de Millau, .mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}IPA: \[vja.dyk də mi.jo\]) is a multispan cable-stayed bridge completed in 2004 across the gorge valley of the Tarn near (west of) Millau in the Aveyron department in the Occitanie Region, in Southern France. The design team was led by engineer Michel Virl... Does anyone know if it’s possible to walk across it, like you can cross the San Francisco bridge on foot? That’s something I would love to do during my summer vacation. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2007, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/2 "2007-02-23T17:07:46Z")
My french isn’t what it’s supposed to be but in so far as I understand it.[Le Viaduct de Millau](http://www.leviaducdemillau.com) has no mention of a footpath (is that a word?). Nor is there any obvious space available in the pictures I’ve seen. ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2007, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/3 "2007-02-23T17:24:09Z")
Sorry, it seems to be off-limits to pedestrians, or so it says [here](http://cp34.free.fr/viaduc-construction.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2007, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/4 "2007-02-23T17:25:16Z")
As **The Librarian** (ook!) said, there appears to be no mention of a footpath on the official website. [This picture](http://www.midiphotobank.com/20050206.html?id=1831) shows that there might be one between the low guardrail and the taller one, and [this one](http://www.midiphotobank.com/20060221.html?id=3605) shows what might be a footpath approaching the bridge. Not conclusive, by any means. On preview, **Sal Ammoniac** seems to have found the answer, ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2007, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/5 "2007-02-23T17:33:38Z")
You can [bike across it](http://www.leviaducdemillau.com/accueil/products-&-services/season-tickets-and-charges/charges/var/lang/EN/rub/149.html) for €3,50. **Sal Ammoniac** , where on that page does it say that pedestrians aren’t allowed? My French isn’t what it used to be, but I can’t find it. Or did you link to the wrong page? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2007, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/6 "2007-02-23T17:38:37Z")
[QUOTE=MikeS] Where on that page does it say that pedestrians aren’t allowed? [/QUOTE] Ctrl-f interdit aux piétons ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2007, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/7 "2007-02-23T17:43:41Z")
[QUOTE=MikeS] You can [bike across it](http://www.leviaducdemillau.com/accueil/products-&-services/season-tickets-and-charges/charges/var/lang/EN/rub/149.html) for €3,50. [/QUOTE] motorcycle not bicycle (you knew that, right?) ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2007, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/8 "2007-02-23T18:01:25Z")
If I recall from the documentary on building it, (Crazy by the way… amazing feat of engineering & construction) it’s covered in cameras, has dedicated personel to go yell at you if you even stop on it. Think of it as a major interstate highway, with no shoulder, which happens to be WAY up in the air. No stopping, no bicycles, mopeds, basejumping or horses allowed. No peeing off the edge, and certainly not on the windward side. ---
**Author:** ![robcaro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@robcaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robcaro)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2007, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/9 "2007-02-23T19:31:51Z")
I could not find any reference to being able to walk on this bridge. It is really an awsome bridge though and I think it is too high to allow walking. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2007, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/10 "2007-02-23T20:51:02Z")
Some bridges that are generally closed to foot traffic are open one day a year, and this seems to be one of them. There’s a 23.7K footrace on May 13 this year that crosses the viaduct in both directions, but it looks to me like they’re fully subscribed (participation being limited to 10,000 people). I can’t say whether it’s an annual event or a one-off. See [http://www.course-viaducdemillau.com/accueil.php4](http://www.course-viaducdemillau.com/accueil.php4) ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2007, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/11 "2007-02-23T20:58:30Z")
[QUOTE=butler1850] Think of it as a major interstate highway, with no shoulder, which happens to be WAY up in the air. [/QUOTE] Nitpick - there is a shoulder (as is standard for Autoroutes). See **Crotalus** ’s pictures. And there’s definitely no footpath, including in those pictures. One is merely a gap between the crash barrier and the wind shield (it’s high enough to need them to protect vehicles from crosswinds), the second is just some access road for maintenance. ---
**Author:** ![Quentin\_S.Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/43a26b/32.png) [@Quentin\_S.Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quentin_S.Smith)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2007, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/12 "2007-02-23T22:25:14Z")
I guess my choices are to get a motorcycle for the best view, or else join the footrace. Or, possibly, climb up to the top of the bridge using one of the supporting concrete piers! All I need is some suction cups. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2007, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/13 "2007-02-24T01:13:02Z")
It’s a nice area for a vacation, even if you can’t walk across the bridge. I’ve driven on the road that follows alongside the river the bridge crosses. That road has very little traffic and would make a nice bike ride or walk, while giving you amazing views of the bridge along with some nice countryside. The gorges to the east of the bridge has great hiking and rafting. As a bonus, it’s Roquefort cheese area. Mmmm. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2007, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/14 "2007-02-24T15:10:23Z")
[QUOTE=butler1850] No stopping, no bicycles, mopeds, basejumping or horses allowed. [/QUOTE] I recall seeing a programme about somebody who _did_ jump off it after it was finished but before it opened. He had everything planned precisely to avoid the security. ---
**Author:** ![Quentin\_S.Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/43a26b/32.png) [@Quentin\_S.Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quentin_S.Smith)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2007, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/15 "2007-02-24T19:24:19Z")
[QUOTE=Meurglys] I recall seeing a programme about somebody who _did_ jump off it after it was finished but before it opened. He had everything planned precisely to avoid the security. [/QUOTE] What happened to the guy? I assume he died immediately. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2007, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/16 "2007-02-24T19:46:31Z")
[QUOTE=Quentin S. Smith] What happened to the guy? I assume he died immediately. [/QUOTE] > **[Baumgartner jumps from world's highest bridge | Scoop News](https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0406/S00225.htm)** > > Austrian Felix Baumgartner, known for his Channel crossing in 2003, jumped from the highest bridge in the world (maximum height at the top of the pillars: 343 metres), which was recently completed near Millau in southern France. In order to avoid... ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2007, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/17 "2007-02-25T15:08:58Z")
The documentary about its construction is on the SCIENCE Channel RIGHT NOW-Sunday 2/26/07 10-11a.m. EDT That’s on my supplement to the DirecTV system. Enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2007, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/18 "2007-02-25T16:47:03Z")
[QUOTE=robcaro] I could not find any reference to being able to walk on this bridge. It is really an awsome bridge though and I think it is too high to allow walking. [/QUOTE] Not to be snarky, but what are the criteria for being too high for walking? It’s not like it requires supplemental oxygen or anything. ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2007, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/19 "2007-02-26T16:12:48Z")
Safety of those that might do themselves harm… Just think of the paperwork for the poor bridge workers. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2007, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379/20 "2007-02-26T16:33:56Z")
[QUOTE=Quentin S. Smith] I guess my choices are to get a motorcycle for the best view, or else join the footrace. Or, possibly, climb up to the top of the bridge using one of the supporting concrete piers! All I need is some suction cups. [/QUOTE] If you are just looking to walk across the highest road roadbed, try the [Royal Gorge Bridge](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Gorge_Bridge) that includes a walkway. It is the highest roadway. > [@wiki](#): > > The viaduct is nearly twice as tall as the previous tallest vehicular bridge in Europe, the Europabrücke in Austria. > The Millau Viaduct is the second-highest vehicular bridge measured from the roadway elevation. Its deck, about 270 m above the Tarn, is slightly higher than the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia in the United States, which is 267 m above the New River. **The Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado, United States has a deck considerably higher than either, at 321 m above the Arkansas River.** Jim [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-across-the-millau-viaduct-in-france-worlds-tallest-bridge/393379.md?page=2)