Millau, Medieval town in Aveyron, France
Millau is a commune in the Aveyron department, nestled in the valley of the Tarn River at an elevation of 600 meters, surrounded by limestone plateaus and deep gorges. The old town spreads along both banks, with narrow lanes and stone buildings framed by steep hillsides and sharp rock formations.
The settlement began under Roman rule as Condatomagus, a pottery center that supplied ceramics across much of Gaul. During the Middle Ages it grew into a trading hub at the crossroads between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, fostering the rise of tanning and leather crafts.
The name derives from the Latin 'Aemilianum', referencing a Roman landowner, and locals still speak of their heritage in leatherworking. Small workshops welcome visitors to watch artisans cutting and stitching gloves using techniques passed through generations of families.
Markets run on Wednesday and Friday mornings in the old town streets, where farmers from nearby valleys sell cheese, vegetables, and charcuterie. The lanes can be steep, so sturdy shoes help when walking between squares and along the riverside paths.
The viaduct crossing the valley reaches a span of 2.46 kilometers (1.53 miles) and a height of 336.4 meters (1,104 feet), making it the tallest bridge structure in France. Its tallest pier rises even higher than the Eiffel Tower by several meters, giving drivers the sensation of gliding through clouds.
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