Pont Vieux

The Pont Vieux

The Montauban audio-guided tour takes you to the Pont Vieux, which elegantly spans the Tarn at the gates of the city for seven centuries. With the church of Saint-Jacques, it is one of the great vestiges of the Montauban Middle Ages.

Seven centuries of history

Planned from the foundation of the city in 1144, the bridge was only undertaken in 1311, after King Philip IV the Fair had launched a subsidy for its construction. Completed around 1335, it was then composed of fourteen arches, two fortified towers at each end, a chapel and a medieval parapet, all elements now mostly disappeared. Wars, politics and the needs of traffic have profoundly transformed its appearance over the centuries. Listed as a historic monument in 1919, it has become an icon of the city.

What there is to see

The Pont Vieux unfolds its brick arches over the Tarn, offering one of the finest images of Montauban, especially from the quays. A witness to seven centuries of history, it links the old centre to the Villebourbon district. It is an ideal setting for photography, where the brick is reflected in the waters of the river.

Practical information

The Pont Vieux spans the Tarn, at the gates of the historic centre of Montauban, towards the Villebourbon district. It can be crossed freely on foot at all hours and on the level. The quays offer the finest viewpoints over the structure.

When was the Pont Vieux of Montauban built?

The work began in 1311 and was completed around 1335; the bridge then had fourteen arches and two fortified towers.

What did the Pont Vieux link?

The old centre of Montauban to the Villebourbon district, over the Tarn; it has been an icon of the city for seven centuries.