Fri 25 Aug 2006
Maurice and I made a quick trip into the country west of Provence called Aveyron. The people from this region who settled in Paris opened many of the original bistros there. The whole area is very interesting and we could have spent much more time there just looking at old castles of the Knights Templar but we did the best we could. At one time it took several hours to cross a valley there so this incredible bridge called the Viaduc du Millau was built.The architect was English and an expert in building with metals. It can be seen all over the area from long distances away. We stopped at several places to take photos, above, below and while crossing it. Alot of it is made of metal and watching a film on how it was made was really interesting. The tallest support beam is higher than the Eiffel Tower!
Here it is from a village quite a ways away.
Underneath
Underneath but further away
What it looks like from the highway right before driving on it.
One more view
The area is full of quaint villages and incredible scenery and I’ll post more photos on that next time.
August 26th, 2006 at 1:15 pm
Thanks for sharing these photos of this amazing bridge.
August 27th, 2006 at 12:17 am
We would like to see this bridge one day, may have to make a detour…
August 27th, 2006 at 10:28 pm
That is incredible! I think I would faint if I had to drive across that thing! I hate heights!!
August 28th, 2006 at 11:19 am
You and me both Rosa! Yikes.
August 30th, 2006 at 8:18 am
I was so busy looking up at the support system that I didn’t even think to look out or down. In fact, I don’t think you can look down. They have a very elaborate siding on the bridge to cut down on wind and you can’t see past it. I never once felt like I was on a bridge but just on part of the highway that led to it-sort of like when the Eurostar goes through the chunnel-it just isn’t obvious.
September 5th, 2006 at 4:04 am
Linda,
Are you sure that the architect was English? It seems to bear the mark of a Calatrava design and I know he did plan a bridege in France. Here we have the amazing Milwaukee Art museum that is his design. Lovely.
R
September 5th, 2006 at 8:02 am
There were teams of architects involved including French engineers. I found this fact on googling: Designed by French bridge engineer Michel Virlogeux in collaboration with British architect Norman Foster. When we were at the site, in their little museum, I just happened to notice the part about the Englishman. I think Foster gets most of the credit, but I could be wrong. Linda