PONT VIEUX

Pont Vieux is an ancient stone bridge that connects the sections of Carcassonne, i.e., the Cité and the lower town. Closest to the medieval fortified city, this bridge is accessible only to pedestrians. The unique feature of Pont Vieux is the twelve stone arches with cutwaters in the front and the rear end with unequal dimensions that create a marking of a boundary between the two factions of Carcassonne.

If you are thinking about what to see in Carcassonne, Pont Vieux is one of the best places that you must include in your travel itinerary. Pont Vieux is one of the oldest and prettiest bridges that connects the Cité and the lower town of Carcassonne together while spanning over the Aude River. Constructed during the 14th century, this bridge is one of the few surviving medieval bridges in France that was reconstructed in the 19th century. People are attracted to its graceful arches and compact dimensions which are accessible only to pedestrians.

The Pont Vieux is made up of twelve semicircular arches of unequal length resting on piers equipped with front and rear beaks with sharp spurs. Stretching at a length of 225 meters, this bridge was constructed in only ten years. However, the bridge has been divided into two paarts with the help of the stone arch, which marks the border between the upper town and the lower town.

Highlights

• Cross the Pont Vieux bridge in Carcassonne and admire the spectacular beauty of the Aude River flowing beneath
• Enjoy the panoramic views of the medieval town of Carcassonne and its reflection on the water of the river
• Relish the surreal feeling of standing between two factions of Carcassonne, with the Cité on one side and the lower town on the other
• Dive deeper into the history of its construction and several tales that narrates the building and rebuilding of this ancient bridge in the 14th and 19th centuries.
• Admire the beauty of the stone arches and compact dimensions of Pont Vieux which attracts thousands of tourists throughout the year.