The Porte d'Aude is the western gate of the Cité, opening onto a steep stair down to the Aude river and the Pont Vieux. It is the more dramatic of the two main gates — narrower, hemmed in by tall walls on both sides, and built with multiple right-angle turns to slow any attacker.
The approach up from the bridge is the medieval one and is still the best way to enter the city for the first time. From the Cité side, the gate also frames a famous view back down over the bridge and the Bastide.