Joining our good friends Jen and Rob, we left Sarlat in the afternoon and drove toward Millau as the first stop on our journey through southern France before continuing on to Italy.

The highlight of the day was the magnificent Millau Viaduct, an engineering marvel that spans the Tarn Gorge. Recognized as the highest bridge in the world, one of its masts reaches 343 meters, while the deck sits 270 meters above the ground. Part of the A75 autoroute connecting Paris to Montpellier, it is truly an awe-inspiring sight as you approach it.

The drive from Sarlat through the departments of the Lot and Aveyron was beautiful, with lush green countryside, babbling brooks, and full rivers — especially scenic at this time of year. Millau itself sits at the confluence of the Tarn and Dourbie rivers and has roots dating back to the 1st century AD. Its old town features charming winding lanes and historic buildings.

However, the town has a slightly melancholic feel, with many shops closed — a common sight in many rural areas of France these days. We had dinner at a Moroccan restaurant, enjoying couscous with plenty of vegetables, mutton, and merguez sausage. It was decent but not particularly memorable.

While the Millau Viaduct is undoubtedly impressive, it didn’t rank among our favourite sights in France. The country offers so many beautiful historic towns, villages, and landscapes that this modern engineering feat, though remarkable, felt more like a quick stop than a destination in itself.