The Millau Viaduct is a cable-stayed bridge that spans the valley of the River Tarn in southern France. Designed by structural engineer Michel Virlogeux and British architect Norman Foster, it held the record for the world's tallest bridge upon its opening in 2004. Its highest pier stands at 343 meters (1,125 feet), making it slightly taller than the Eiffel Tower. The bridge was designed to alleviate heavy holiday traffic between Paris and Spain. To minimize its visual impact on the landscape, the bridge features an incredibly thin deck and seven elegant masts. The construction used a 'sliding' technique where the deck was built on either side of the valley and slowly pushed across the piers until they met in the middle. It is considered a triumph of modern aesthetics and structural efficiency.