Pont Vieux

Standing steadfast at the city’s edge, the Pont Vieux, or Old Bridge, has gracefully spanned the Tarn River for over 700 years. Want to know how it all began? Back in 1144, when the Count of Toulouse founded Montauban, plans were made for a bridge to help with the city’s growth. But the project took its time – over 150 years, that is – likely due to technical challenges and funding hurdles. It wasn’t until 1311, when King Philip IV, known as Philip the Fair, stepped in and provided financial support, that construction finally got underway, one arch after another. Completed around 1335, the original Pont Vieux boasted 14 arches, two fortified towers at each end, a chapel, gargoyles, and a medieval parapet. Many of these features, as you may have noticed, have disappeared over the centuries. Wars, politics, and the demands of modern traffic have all left their mark, altering the bridge’s appearance. Listed as a historic monument since 1919, the Pont Vieux is now an iconic sight of Montauban – a perfect spot to soak up history and snap a beautiful photo, especially from where you’re standing right now!