Pont Vieux, Stone bridge in Montauban, France

Pont Vieux is a stone bridge in Montauban that spans 205 meters and connects different sections of the city across the water. Its solid stone construction creates a sturdy crossing that remains essential to daily movement through town.

Pont Vieux was built in medieval times and shows construction methods typical of that era through its stone arches. The bridge has survived centuries as a vital transport link for the city.

The bridge's name comes from the Latin Monte albanus, meaning white mount or mount of foreigners, the name given to the town founded by Alphonse Jourdain. A chapel dedicated to Saint Catherine, patron of boatmen, once stood at its centre, and the right-bank tower housed the executioner before its demolition in 1663.

The bridge carries vehicles and pedestrians on a flat deck between low stone parapets; walkers share the roadway, so keep to the edge. The deck is level and paved, with no steps, which makes the crossing straightforward on foot or by bike. Look for the engraved plaque on one of the piers recording the 1667 restoration by intendant Pellot.

The bridge was not left unchanged: its right-bank tower, where the executioner lodged, was demolished in 1663 for the episcopal palace, now the Ingres museum, and the left-bank tower came down in 1701 for a triumphal gate. The Sainte-Catherine chapel, patron of boatmen, was demolished in 1828. A carved plaque on one pier records the 1667 restoration by intendant Pellot.