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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Red Bridge of Carcassonne, mentioned from the beginning of the sixteenth century, appears on a plan of the partially demolished era, with an arch still standing. Its reconstruction began in 1610, after centuries of degradation, especially due to the floods of Fresquel. The work, supervised by the Royal Authorities, was aimed at strengthening the foundations and adapting the structure to the growing traffic requirements.

In 1613, Dominique Capmartin, master of the Royal Reparations of the Sénéchain de Toulouse, alerted about the fragility of the foundations, proposing modifications to counter the floods and extend the ramps of access. Checks confirmed the stability of the new pile, sitting on a rocky base. Work continued until 1621, with the laying of parapets and paving, while preserving the northern part of the bridge, dating from the early 16th century and evoking the Old Bridge of Carcassonne.

In the 19th century, under the First Empire, the route of the Canal des Deux Mers changed the course of the Fresquel, diverting its bed and thus preserving the work. The bridge, characterized by three uneven arches and spur batteries, was inscribed in the Historical Monuments in 1948. Its structure combines medieval elements and modern adaptations, reflecting its technical evolution and its role in local history.

Today, the Pont-Rouge remains a testimony of the technical and hydraulic challenges encountered by engineers of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Its approximate location, near Saint-Pierre in Carcassonne, and its status as communal property make it an accessible heritage, although little documented about its current use.

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