Incredible £334m bridge in rural Europe where one key thing is banned | World | News

A colossal bridge offers a stunning route between Paris and the Mediterranean – but drivers are banned from doing one thing on the structure.

Millau Bridge, in southern France‘s Aveyron district, was designed by British architect Norman Foster and opened in the early-2000s to great fanfare.

It remains the tallest bridge in the world, standing at a staggering 1,104ft high, meaning a skyscraper could fit under it.

Unfortunately, you’re not allowed to get out and take in the sights as walking on the bridge is strictly forbidden under French federal law, the same as any highway in the country.

The multi-span cable-stayed bridge also features ingenious design secrets that help keep drivers safe in subtle ways they might never notice.

According to Enjoy Travel, as well as having two lanes in each direction, the bridge is also “not straight as this could induce a sensation of floating for drivers.

The outlet explained: “To remedy this, the architects designed the bridge to have a slight curve, which is 20km in range.

“Another design feature that improves safety is the road’s slight incline of three percent, which improves visibility and reassures the driver.

“The bridge is exposed to high winds of up to 151km/h. So, the designers placed side screens on the bridge that reduce the effects of the wind by 50 percent.”

It has also become a point of pilgrimage for petrolheads and engineering buffs due to its massive scale and sleek design.

One visitor on TripAdvisor hailed it as a “beautiful and extraordinary piece of engineering”, recommending the visitor’s centre its “exhibition, a good cafeteria and a viewing platform from which you can get an idea of the enormity of the project.

“After this, get back in the car and drive over it. The bridge is cleverly curved so that you get a good feel for its length and can clearly see its pylons and supporting cables,” they added.

Another wrote: “An amazing piece of engineering and architecture spanning an even more beautiful gorge. If you’re an engineering/architecture enthusiast, this is a must see, but you don’t have to be one to be blown away by this marvel of a bridge.”

A third said: “We traveled to the south of France to experience art and the Frence Rivera. The Millau Viaduc was within an hour drive from where we were staying.. so we went.

“The countryside was breath taking. The bridge was one of the highlights of the trip. Words cannot describe..Beautiful!”