Engineering marvels: exploring the Millau & Garabit viaducts with Virlogeux and Roches

Michel Virlogeux

Michel Virlogeux educated at the Prytanée National Militaire at La Flèche. He graduated in 1967 from the Ecole Polytechnique, in 1970 at the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées; in 1973 he became Docteur-Ingénieur of the Paris University. A civil servant in the French Administration, he started his professional career three years ago in Tunisia. When back to France in 1974, he worked for more than 20 years at the Setra, the technical service of the Ministry of Transport, where he became head of the large concrete bridges division (1980), and later head of the large bridges division, concrete and steel.

In this position, he designed many bridges, including the Normandie Bridge. In 1995 he settled as an independent consultant, working as an expert and designer. Among many other bridges, he designed the Millau Viaduct, the Térénez curved cable-stayed bridge, and the Third Bosphorus Bridge with Jean François Klein.

He is currently a part-time Professor at the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées.
He has been very active in national and international associations of civil engineering. He was Président of the Fédération Internationale de la Précontrainte (1996-1988), and of the Fédération Internationale du Béton (1988-2000) after the merger of the FIP with the Comité Européen du Béton.
He received many national and international awards, and in 2021 he became Doctor Honoris Causa of the Wroclaw University of Sciences and Technology.

Patricia Vergne Roches

Patricia Vergne Roches is a committed public servant and community leader with a strong background in local governance, cultural heritage preservation, and historical research. She has served as the Mayor of Coren-les-Eaux since 2014, overseeing municipal operations and leading initiatives in a village of 470 residents. Patricia is actively involved in regional and national associations, including the Association des Maires de France, where she serves as Treasurer for the Cantal department. She also plays a key role in financial oversight and community development through her participation in various local committees.

In addition to her public service, Patricia is the founder and president of "La Vache Qui Lit," a publishing house that promotes the heritage of the Massif Central through youth-focused literature. She also established the Association of Friends of the Garabit Viaduct, organizing events and partnerships to celebrate this iconic structure. A recognized historian, Patricia frequently contributes to documentaries and conferences on cultural heritage, particularly related to the works of Gustave Eiffel. Fluent in English and German, she brings international experience to her engagements, which include public speaking at European forums and heritage summits. Her dedication to heritage preservation and community leadership has earned her multiple awards at the national and regional levels.