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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Old Bridge of Albi, 150 metres long, is a medieval structure built between 1035 and 1042 on an alleu of the chapter of Saint Salvi. Originally, it allowed passage only to pedestrians and riders, and its oldest parts visible today date back to the thirteenth century. A toll, attested as early as 1193, was taken from the goods and Jews, living or dead, according to the cartular of Albi of 1245. This system of taxation, initially managed by the Viscounts and then the Seigneuries bishops, was transferred to the Consuls of Albi in 1269, financing the maintenance of the bridge and the city walls.

In the Middle Ages, the bridge had a fortified gate tower, a chapel and a drawbridge, and was reinforced in the 15th century by houses built on its pillars, giving it a similar appearance to the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. These houses were destroyed after the flood of 1766. In 1820, its carriageway was extended and straightened to allow for the crossing of carts, with structural modifications made of brick. Ranked a historic monument in 1921, it is part of the episcopal city of Albi, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.

Between March 2023 and May 2025, a major restoration project was carried out to strengthen its structure, seal the bridge, and renovate the pavement and sidewalks. Handcrafted techniques were used to preserve historic stones, and the bridge was officially reopened on 19 June 2025. This bridge, dean of the road bridges of France still in service, remains a symbol of Albige's architectural and historical heritage.

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