Pont Vieux of Carcassonne

The oldest document concerning the bridge dates back to 1184. Roger Trencavel authorized the inhabitants of the city to build a new bridge on the condition that they covered the cost. By his will, in 1194, he only retained the principle of his toll tax which he limited to an annual payment of two measures of wheat. This bridge, built in around ten years, had to be made of wood. Jacques-Alphonse Mahul pointed out that the bridge referred to in this act must have been the king's mill bridge which was on the old arm of the Aude.

The Albigensian Crusade must have led to the destruction of this bridge. The inhabitants of Carcassonne return after a seven-year exile. The king had the town which surrounded the ramparts destroyed, the Aude diverted, and the marshes drained. Louis IX authorized the inhabitants to build the lower town. A new bridge is needed. At the beginning of the 14th century, the king authorized the inhabitants to build a stone bridge.

Beautiful old bridge, with nice lighting

Beautiful old bridge towards the castle