Around Millau Viaduct

Culture and sightseeing 

Sites associated with Millau Viaduct

Discover these unmissable attractions that are all within striking distance of the Viaduct, a Great Tourist Site. 
Next to the Viaduct:

• Millau: a town with a distinctly southern feel, with historical districts and a (very interesting) museum. Millau is famous for its leather glove-making workshops. www.millau-viaduc-tourisme.fr

20 minutes away:

• The Templar and Hospitaller cities of the Larzac: a collection found nowhere else in Europe made up of La Cavalerie, La Couvertoirade, Sainte Eulalie de Cernon, Viala du Pas de Jaux and Saint Jean d’Alcas.
  www.millau-viaduc-tourisme.fr   -  http://tourisme-larzac.com

30 minutes away: 

• The Roquefort cheese cellars: an amazing journey through the underground realm of the prestigious Roquefort cheese. www.roquefort.fr

56 minutes away:

• Sylvanès Abbey: this gem of Cistercian architecture lies in the lush surroundings of an isolated side valley. www.millau-viaduc-tourisme.fr

Villages and churches

12 minutes away: 

• Peyre: the colour of brown sugar, Peyre blends in with the surrounding rock face and is officially recognised as one of the most beautiful villages in France.  

15 minutes away: 

• Compeyre: a wine village built on terraces above the River Tarn and full of fine houses. 
• Villages and Romanesque churches of the Dourbie Gorge: a string of discreetly yet amazingly beautiful villages and churches stretching for 18 km. Be sure to stop off at La Roque Sainte Marguerite, Saint Véran, Cantobre, Les Cuns and Nant.

45 minutes away:

• The Russian church near Sylvanès: a Russian Orthodox church built entirely of wood in Russia and brought here to the heart of the Aveyron forest in 1995. Very unusual. Accessible on foot and by car. www.millau-viaduc-tourisme.fr 

Vineyards and orchards

10 minutes away: 

• Côtes de Millau vineyard: a small vineyard (57 ha) that is enjoying a resurgence, planted in terraces on the hills above Millau. Head for the Cave des Vignerons des Gorges du Tarn visitor centre in Aguessac. Tel. +33 (0)5 65 59 84 11.
• Maison de la Cerise, Paulhe: for everything you ever wanted to know about cherry orchards, which have been part of the landscape here for 200 years. Tel. +33 (0)5 65 59 00 98 – www.maison-de-la-cerise.asso.fr

Châteaux

20 minutes away: 

• Château de Peyrelade, Rivière-sur-Tarn: the theatrical ruins of this château are reminiscent of a ship caught in a storm. Fabulous location and viewpoint. Tel.: +33 (0)5 65 59 74 28 – www.seigneurs-du-rouergue.fr

Attractions

20 minutes away: 

• Micropolis, World of Insects, Saint Léons: a fascinating attraction with 15 fun and educational areas to explore (indoors and outdoors). www.micropolis-aveyron.com

25 minutes away:

• Vélorail du Larzac, Sainte Eulalie de Cernon: travelling on this fast rail-mounted 4-seater 'bike' is a fun way to explore the Larzac, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. Booking strongly advised! Tel. +33 (0)6 81 66 63 49 - www.veloraildularzac.com

41 minutes away:

• Noria, Saint Jean du Bruel: a fun, interactive and refreshing look at water and the issues connected with water in this 13th century water mill. www.noria-espacedeleau.com

Outdoor activities

Rambling

20 minutes away:

• Les Rochers de Roquesaltes: starting from the hamlet of Montméjean (in the Dourbie Gorge), this waymarked 4.5km botanical trail leads up on to the Causse Noir and the spectacular Rochers de Roquesaltes rock formation. 

Aerial sports

10 minutes away:

• Paragliding: Millau is one of France's main paragliding centres. Find out why by treating yourself to a pleasure flight above the Tarn Valley from the Puncho d’Agast take-off zone (Corniches du Larzac). Practical information at www.millau-viaduc-tourisme.fr

White water sports

15 minutes away: 

• Canoeing on the Dourbie: it may not be as well known as the Tarn Gorge, but the Dourbie Gorge, lit up by the crystal-clear green waters of the river, is a heavenly place for a paddle. Practical information at www.millau-viaduc-tourisme.fr

Sites of outstanding natural beauty

15 minutes away:

• The Raspes du Tarn: a wild, rocky, narrow, quiet and magnificent section of the gorge downriver from Millau Viaduct. It can be explored by road from Peyre as far as Brousse-le-Château, via Saint Rome de Tarn (around 40 km in all).

23 minutes away:

• Chaos de Montpellier le Vieux: up on the Causse Noir, a vast area (120 ha) of rocks in weird and wonderful shapes suggestive of ruins. www.montpellierlevieux.com

30 minutes away:

• The Tarn Gorge: this unmissable, world-famous canyon starts 25 km upriver of Millau at the village of Le Rozier. 

Fairs and festivals

56 minutes away: 

• Sylvanès Abbey International Festival: a major celebration of religious music and openness to the world. In July/August. www.sylvanes.com