Pont Vieux of Béziers, Medieval stone bridge in Béziers, France.
Pont Vieux of Béziers is a medieval stone bridge crossing the Orb River with three robust arches that connect the eastern and western parts of the city. The structure displays romanesque architectural features with heavy pillars and vaulted passages that allow water to flow beneath.
The bridge was built in 1134 and served as the only crossing between Marseille and Toulouse for centuries until additional bridges were constructed in the 1800s. Roman foundations lie beneath the current stone structure, indicating that crossing points existed at this location in ancient times.
The name simply means 'Old Bridge' and reflects how residents have referred to this crossing for centuries as part of their daily life. It remains a gathering point where people pause to observe the river and experience the city from this vantage point.
The bridge provides walkways on both sides where pedestrians can cross comfortably and observe the river views. Access is straightforward and requires no special preparation to explore this crossing between the city's districts.
Archaeological investigations have uncovered multiple construction phases at the site spanning different time periods, revealing that this crossing has been strategically important for centuries. The layers of ancient work lie directly beneath visitors' feet.
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