# Millau

> commune in Aveyron, France

**Wikidata**: [Q203278](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q203278)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millau)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/millau

## Summary
Millau is a commune located in the Aveyron department of France, serving as the seat of the arrondissement of Millau. It is situated in the Occitanie region and is distinguished by the Millau Viaduct, a major motorway bridge, and the archaeological site of La Graufesenque. The town functions as a significant administrative and transportation hub within the broader context of the French Republic.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Commune in Aveyron, France.
- **Coordinates**: 44.097777777778° N, 3.0777777777778° E.
- **Website**: https://millau.fr.
- **Administrative Divisions**: Seat of the arrondissement of Millau; part of the cantons of Millau-1 and Millau-2 (established March 2015); formerly part of the cantons of Millau-Ouest and Millau-Est.
- **Population Data**: Recorded figures include 22,205, 22,234, 22,959, 22,109, 22,002, 22,595, 21,907, 21,695, 21,788, 21,339, 22,133, 21,626, 21,979, 21,482, 21,712, 21,859, and 22,044.
- **Notable Infrastructure**: Home to the Millau Viaduct (motorway bridge, inception 2001) and Gare de Millau (railway station).
- **Archaeological Significance**: Contains La Graufesenque, a notable archaeological site.
- **Geographical Context**: Located near the Larzac geographical area.
- **National Context**: France is a semi-presidential republic with a capital in Paris; population 68,605,616 (2025 estimate); area 643,801 km².
- **National Leadership**: Head of State is Emmanuel Macron; Head of Government is Sébastien Lecornu.
- **Economic Indicators (National)**: GDP of $2.78 trillion USD (2022); government budget of €455.2 billion (2023); currency is the Euro (EUR) in metropolitan France.
- **National Symbols**: Motto "Liberté, égalité, fraternité"; flag is the Tricolore; anthem is "La Marseillaise".
- **Technical Standards (National)**: Driving side is right; electricity is 230 volts, 50 Hz (Europlug, Type E); calling code +33; internet TLD .fr.
- **International Memberships (National)**: UN Security Council permanent member; EU founding member; NATO member; nuclear-armed state since 1960.

## FAQs
**Where is Millau located?**
Millau is a commune situated in the Aveyron department in France. Its geographic coordinates are 44.097777777778° latitude and 3.0777777777778° longitude, placing it within the arrondissement of Millau near the Larzac geographical area.

**What are the administrative divisions associated with Millau?**
Millau serves as the seat of the arrondissement of Millau. Following the reorganization in March 2015, it is part of the cantons of Millau-1 and Millau-2, having previously been associated with the cantons of Millau-Ouest and Millau-Est.

**What is the Millau Viaduct?**
The Millau Viaduct is a motorway bridge located in Millau with an inception date recorded in 2001. It is a significant piece of infrastructure in the region, alongside the Gare de Millau railway station.

**What is the population of Millau?**
Historical population data for Millau includes figures such as 22,959, 22,595, 22,234, 22,205, and 22,044, among others listed in the records. These numbers fluctuate over time, reflecting demographic changes in the commune.

**What country is Millau in, and what are its key characteristics?**
Millau is located in France, a country in Western Europe with overseas territories in the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. France operates as a semi-presidential republic with a population of approximately 68.6 million, uses the Euro as currency, and is a founding member of the European Union and a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

## Why It Matters
Millau matters as a strategic administrative and infrastructural node within the Aveyron department. Its significance is amplified by the presence of the Millau Viaduct, a modern engineering feat that facilitates major motorway transit, and the Gare de Millau, which supports regional rail connectivity. The commune's historical depth is underscored by the La Graufesenque archaeological site, providing insight into ancient human activity in the region. As part of France, Millau contributes to and benefits from the nation's extensive political, economic, and cultural influence, which spans multiple continents due to France's global territories and status as a central power in international organizations like the EU and UN.

## Notable For
- **Millau Viaduct**: A motorway bridge with an inception date in 2001, serving as a major transportation landmark.
- **La Graufesenque**: Hosting an important archaeological site within the commune.
- **Administrative Evolution**: Transitioning from the cantons of Millau-Ouest and Millau-Est to the current Millau-1 and Millau-2 in 2015.
- **Transport Hub**: Featuring the Gare de Millau railway station.
- **Geographical Setting**: Located in proximity to the Larzac geographical area.
- **National Integration**: Part of the French Republic, a nuclear-armed state with the second-largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the world.

## Body

### Geography and Territory
Millau is a commune defined by the coordinates 44.097777777778° N and 3.0777777777778° E. It is located within the Aveyron department and serves as the seat of the arrondissement of Millau. The region is characterized by its proximity to the Larzac, a significant geographical area.

Millau is situated within France, a country that encompasses a total area of 643,801 square kilometres. Metropolitan France, where Millau is located, shares borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Andorra. The country's highest point is Mont Blanc at 4,808.72 meters, and the lowest point is Étang de Lavalduc at -10 meters. France also possesses overseas territories in the Americas (e.g., French Guiana), Africa (e.g., Réunion), Oceania (e.g., New Caledonia), and Antarctica (Adélie Land), extending its presence across multiple continents.

### Administration and Governance
As a commune, Millau is a territorial subdivision of France. It is administratively linked to the cantons of Millau-1 and Millau-2, which were established on March 22, 2015. Prior to this, the commune was associated with the cantons of Millau-Ouest and Millau-Est. The official website for the commune is https://millau.fr.

Millau operates under the governance of the French Republic, a unitary semi-presidential republic with a decentralized administration. The current constitution, establishing the Fifth Republic, was founded on October 4, 1958. The executive branch is shared between the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and the Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu. The legislative branch is bicameral, consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate. France is divided into 18 administrative regions, with Aveyron falling within the metropolitan regions.

### Demographics and Society
The population of Millau has varied over time, with recorded data points including 22,959, 22,595, 22,234, 22,205, 22,133, 22,109, 22,044, 22,002, 21,979, 21,907, 21,859, 21,788, 21,712, 21,695, 21,626, 21,482, and 21,339.

In the broader national context, France has an estimated population of 68,605,616 as of January 1, 2025. The society is highly urbanized, with a life expectancy of 82 years (2022). The official language is French, though regional languages such as Occitan are also recognized. The age of majority and marriageable age is 18, with compulsory education required between ages 6 and 16. The standard retirement age is 62 years, with a full rate available at 67 years.

### Economy and Infrastructure
Millau's economy is supported by its transportation infrastructure, including the Gare de Millau railway station and the Millau Viaduct, a motorway bridge with an inception recorded in 2001. The commune also hosts the archaeological site of La Graufesenque, which contributes to its historical and cultural tourism sector.

Nationally, France has a mixed economy with a nominal GDP of $2.78 trillion USD (2022) and a government budget of €455.2 billion (2023). The currency is the Euro (€), which replaced the French franc in 1999, though the CFP Franc is used in overseas territories. The standard VAT rate is 20%, with reduced rates of 10% and 5.5%, and a specific rate of 2.1% for medication. Public debt stood at 117.4% of GDP in the third quarter of 2025.

Infrastructure standards in France include driving on the right-hand side of the road and using the metric system. The electrical grid operates at 230 volts and 50 Hz using Europlug and Type E plugs. Speed limits are generally 130 km/h on highways, 110 km/h on dual carriageways, 90 km/h on other roads, and 50 km/h in built-up areas. The international calling code is +33, and the top-level internet domain is .fr.

### Culture and History
Millau possesses historical significance through the La Graufesenque archaeological site. The commune's history is intertwined with that of France, which traces its origins to the Treaty of Verdun in 843 (establishing West Francia) and the proclamation of the First French Empire in 1804.

France's national symbols include the tricolore flag (blue, white, red), the motto "Liberté, égalité, fraternité," and the national anthem "La Marseillaise." Public holidays observed in Millau include New Year's Day, Easter Monday, International Workers' Day (May 1), Victory in Europe Day (May 8), Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Bastille Day (July 14), Assumption of Mary (August 15), All Saints' Day (November 1), Armistice Day (November 11), and Christmas (December 25).

### International Relations
As part of France, Millau is connected to a nation that holds a prominent role in international affairs. France is a founding member of the European Union (March 25, 1957) and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (since October 24, 1945). It is also a member of NATO (since April 4, 1949), the G7, the G20, the World Trade Organization, the Schengen Area, and the Council of Europe. France possesses nuclear weapons, a status attained in 1960, and is a founder member of Interpol (since 1923). The country maintains diplomatic relations globally and shares borders with eight European nations as well as Brazil and Suriname via French Guiana.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/O---0100)
2. BnF authorities
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
5. INSEE code
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. MusicBrainz
10. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
11. Populations légales 2016
12. Populations légales 2017
13. Populations légales 2018
14. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
15. Populations légales 2019
16. Populations légales 2020
17. Populations légales 2021
18. Populations de référence 2022
19. Populations de référence 2023
20. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
21. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
22. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
23. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
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27. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z)
28. Quora
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30. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
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