Between the cliffs of the Causse Rouge and the banks of the Tarn, the Trace Verte du Viaduc de Millau offers a gentle route, by bike or on foot, linking Millau to Saint-Georges-de-Luzençon.
The Millau Viaduct Green Route
At the crossroads of the Causses landscape, archaeological heritage and contemporary innovation, the Trace Verte du Viaduc de Millau is a must-do discovery trail in southern Aveyron, much of it on the banks of the Tarn. Stretching for almost 16 kilometres, this walking and cycling route links Millau to Saint-Georges-de-Luzençon, following the course of the Tarn as far as the Cernon. Accessible on foot or by bike, it crosses a mosaic of natural environments, while offering remarkable views under one of Europe’s most emblematic engineering structures, the Millau Viaduct * and the Méridienne * (A75).
A soft link between 2 communes in the Grands Causses Regional Nature Park
The route starts in Millau, at the Confluent roundabout, not far from the junction between the Dourbie and Tarn rivers. From the very first metres, the route runs alongside the river, on a path shared by pedestrians and cyclists. The route, which is largely flat, runs through an environment of alluvial meadows, which is particularly well suited to observing the landscapes shaped by farming and river activities. Access is also designed to suit families and less experienced cyclists, with a more demanding variant for mountain bikers.
Throughout the walk, the route remains true to the spirit of the Greenways: a safe, traffic-free route, ideal for relaxation and contemplation. The route is part of the sustainable tourism dynamic, encouraging local soft mobility. It is also a link in the interpretation trails of the Grands Causses Regional Nature Park, promoting the rich heritage of this part of the southern Massif Central.
A route dotted with heritage sites
One of the first stops of interest is the Graufesenque plain, a major archaeological site in the region. Occupied during the Gallo-Roman period, this area was a major centre for the production of sigillated ceramics, which were exported throughout the Roman Empire. Remains are still visible, and an interpretation centre provides a deeper understanding of this ancient craft.
Further on, the route passes through the village of Creissels, whose houses stretch along the banks of the Tarn. The atmosphere here is more mineral, with limestone cliffs overlooking the valley, and resurgences that bear witness to the karstic nature of the surrounding causses.
Heading south, one of the highlights of the journey is undoubtedly the view of the Millau Viaduct. Completed in 2004, the viaduct crosses the Tarn valley at a dizzying height, culminating at 343 metres at the highest pylon. Its slender architecture, with concrete piers and cable-stayed deck, contrasts strikingly with the gentle surrounding countryside. From the Trace Verte, there are several viewpoints from which you can appreciate the scale of this infrastructure without having to access the motorway.
Just downstream, the path passes the troglodyte village of Peyre, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. Clinging to the cliff, it offers a picturesque silhouette, combining dwellings carved into the rock and terraces overlooking the Tarn. The diversions to the village, although a little steep, is recommended for hikers looking for a privileged viewpoint over the viaduct.
A smooth arrival at Saint-Georges-de-Luzençon
The second half of the route follows the course of the Cernon, a tributary of the Tarn, along a shady path that alternates between forested sections and clearings. After crossing the river, the route gradually reaches the village of Saint-Georges-de-Luzençon, nestling in a green valley. The finish is in the town hall garden, a peaceful spot that brings this gentle crossing between two towns with complementary faces to a close.
The entire route has a moderate gradient, with a cumulative ascent of around 190 metres. The altitude varies between 340 and 390 metres, making this an accessible route even for less experienced walkers. On average, it takes around 1? hours by mountain bike to link the two ends of the trail, and 3 to 4 hours on foot, depending on the pace and stops.
A route designed for a variety of uses
The Trace Verte du Viaduc meets a number of local needs. It relieves traffic congestion on certain busy roads in summer, offers a less motorised tourist alternative and enhances the secondary routes in the Grands Causses Regional Nature Park. Users are asked to respect the rules governing the cohabitation of pedestrians and cyclists, especially on narrow or wet stretches, particularly along rivers where certain sections may be flooded during high water.
The itinerary is signposted and dotted with information panels, making it easier to find your way around and providing information about the area: the geology of the causses, rural heritage, traditional uses of the river. Maintenance is carried out by the local authorities and the Regional Nature Park, with a view to promoting the area in an environmentally-friendly way.
An experience between heritage and nature
As well as its functional interest, the Millau Viaduct Green Route is an immersion in an area that combines the rugged landscape of the Causses, traces of antiquity and modern technology. The contrasts are permanent: between the silence of the banks of the Tarn and the raw concrete verticality of the viaduct, between the medieval lanes of the villages you pass through and the lines stretching into the sky of an extraordinary motorway structure.
In this sense, it is part of an approach to tourism that favours a slower pace, an encounter with the landscape and the active discovery of heritage. It is aimed at local residents who want to (re)discover their local environment, as well as visitors who want to explore the area around the viaduct in a different way from a motorway service area.
Accessible, varied and punctuated by historical and natural landmarks, the Viaduct Green Route offers an original alternative for discovering one of Europe’s largest engineering structures from a human perspective, following the peaceful meanders of the rivers and streams of southern Aveyron.
La Trace Verte in practice
Sites along the Trace
Presentation of the trail, itinerary and maps:
Where to stay in Millau?
Looking for a hotel, rental or bnb for a night, weekend or holiday? Interactive map and list of accommodation in and around Millau, according to your needs and budget:
Travel link
- La Trace Verte: interactive map to download
- The Millau Viaduct
- TheA75 motorway, known as the Méridienne
- Discovering the village of Peyre