Pont Vieux
Pont Vieux literally means ‘old bridge’, and it goes over the river called Aude. It dates back to the 14th century, and until the 19th century it was the only link between la Bastide and the medieval city, forming a crucial connection between the higher and lower areas of the Carcassonne. Therefore, Pont Vieux was also the central point of many encounters and negotiations among the citizens of the two sides, which were often in conflict. At the entrance to the bridge, the chapel of Notre-Dame de la Santé is the sole surviving trace of the city’s oldest hospital. On the contrary of the new bridge, Pont Vieux is only for pedestrian use, and it is still perfect to quickly access the old medieval citadel.