Old bridge

Originally a fortification element, it is mounted on 14 arches, 7 of which are above the Tarn and 7 on land, at 23m above the Tarn and is topped by two towers at the ends.

During the siege of 1621, the royal troops of Louis XIII tried in vain to break the central arch while the cannons opened breaches in the tower located on the Villebourbon side.

Did you know that?

Until the early 14th century, the bridge was a natural boundary, simply connected by a ferry.

In 1304, Philippe IV le Bel granted the construction of a bridge over the river.

The engineers, Mathieu de Verdun and Étienne de Ferrières, took up a real challenge: to design a structure 205 mlong linking two banks of unequal heights. They completed it in 1335.

Photo spotlight

ideal

The setting is ideal for your memoriesphotographic.

On one side, admire the charismatic parade of the Pont Vieux, the Ingres Bourdelle Museum and the bell tower of the Eglise Saint-Jacques.

On the other, be charmed by the facades of the old private mansions of the Quai Villebourbon that paint their reflections in the ripples of the Tarn.

To be discovered on both sides of the

Turn your head to the left and the Ingres Bourdelle Museum and the entrance to the city center await you. Turn your head to the right and discover the Villebourbon district and its art-deco houses. The Pont Vieux is the dash connecting the two banks of the Tarn.

Heart of the City

The district of Villebourbon

The inhabitants of the place will build a bridge over the Tarn. And when the bridge is built, the lord count will agree with six prudhommes, of the best advisers, inhabitants of the said place, on the rights that they will have to establish there, so that the said bridge can be maintained and repaired.