Le Pont Vieux (Old Bridge), Carcassonne (must see)
Carcassonne is two cities. There is the Cite and the lower town. The two sections were connected by a bridge divided in two. A stone arch with cutwaters in front and rear marked the boundary between the two factions of Carcassonne. When disagreements became clashes, peace treaties were signed here.
The stone bridge replaced an earlier wooden span that had crossed upstream. The new stone bridge was finished in 1320. There are twelve arches on the bridge. The arches have unequal dimensions. The diameters of the arch openings vary from 33 to 46 feet. The arches were apparently built only as funds appeared, so it took a while to build the bridge
Since 1320 there was little change in the form of the bridge. Two arches collapsed in 1436 and were repaired. Other portions were modified in 1559, but there was no major change until 1820. In 1999 the City of Carcassonne and the Architects at Monuments of France rehabilitated the eastern end of the bridge and the access to Trivalle Street.
The Old Bridge is only for pedestrians. It is 739 feet long. It is closest to the medieval fortified city, a very pleasant walk.
The stone bridge replaced an earlier wooden span that had crossed upstream. The new stone bridge was finished in 1320. There are twelve arches on the bridge. The arches have unequal dimensions. The diameters of the arch openings vary from 33 to 46 feet. The arches were apparently built only as funds appeared, so it took a while to build the bridge
Since 1320 there was little change in the form of the bridge. Two arches collapsed in 1436 and were repaired. Other portions were modified in 1559, but there was no major change until 1820. In 1999 the City of Carcassonne and the Architects at Monuments of France rehabilitated the eastern end of the bridge and the access to Trivalle Street.
The Old Bridge is only for pedestrians. It is 739 feet long. It is closest to the medieval fortified city, a very pleasant walk.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Carcassonne. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Le Pont Vieux (Old Bridge) on Map
Sight Name: Le Pont Vieux (Old Bridge)
Sight Location: Carcassonne, France (See walking tours in Carcassonne)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Carcassonne, France (See walking tours in Carcassonne)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Carcassonne, France
Create Your Own Walk in Carcassonne
Creating your own self-guided walk in Carcassonne is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Medieval City of Carcassonne Walking Tour
A pig full of wheat was thrown off the battlements. The lady commanding the fortress was a Muslim. The besieging Christians knew Muslims do not eat pig. What is more, the defenders must have plenty of food if they could feed wheat to a pig and throw it over the walls. The siege had lasted five years. The attackers were starving. They left.
Many stories are told about the fortified medieval... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Many stories are told about the fortified medieval... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Carcassonne Introduction Walking Tour
Nestled in the picturesque region of Occitanie in southern France is the captivating city of Carcassonne.
The name "Carcassonne" is believed to have originated from the Gallic word "Carsac," referring to a fort settlement that was later fortified by the Romans who occupied the area in the 1st century BC.
A legend suggests another, more colorful version of the name,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
The name "Carcassonne" is believed to have originated from the Gallic word "Carsac," referring to a fort settlement that was later fortified by the Romans who occupied the area in the 1st century BC.
A legend suggests another, more colorful version of the name,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles