Bridges of Paris. History, description and photo What is the name of the first bridge in Paris
One of the most beautiful and romantic European cities, Paris, can safely be called the city of bridges. After all, here there are no more or less of them, but as many as 37. And if not for them, the Seine River, dividing Paris into 2 parts, would become a serious obstacle not only for tourists, but also for the Parisians themselves. The bridges were built in different eras, which accordingly affected their appearance. It is difficult to find a bridge in Paris that is similar to another. And each bridge certainly has its own story, amazing and unique... I’ll tell you about some of them:
1. The famous Parisian bridge - the New Bridge." Oddly enough, (Pont Neuf) is one of the oldest bridges in Paris. The New Bridge crosses the Spit of the Ile de la Cité and consists of two parts, where one axis is not an exact continuation of the other. South part The bridge has 5 spans, the northern one - 7. Its construction began under Henry III in 1578, and ended under Henry IV in 1606. In its middle part, the New Bridge rests on two islands, European and Patriarchal, where a square with an equestrian monument to Henry IV was built somewhat later. Unlike other bridges of that time, the New Bridge was not built with houses and had sidewalks for pedestrians. For many decades, the Pont Neuf was one of the busiest places in Paris: on both sides there were temporary shops and booths that disappeared only in the 19th century. But still Pont Neuf favorite place meetings and walks of Parisians and guests of the capital. This is the most romantic bridge in Paris, connecting the right and left banks of the Seine with western part Islands of Cite. 
2. The Pont au Change Bridge, built in the 9th century under King Charles the Bald, connects the right bank of the Seine with the Ile de la Cité. In medieval times, this bridge was chosen by numerous shopkeepers and money changers. It was the main financial artery French capital. The bridge was so densely lined with rows of shops that it rather resembled swap meet, and the Parisians walking along it simply did not see the river. At the end of the 18th century, shops and houses were demolished. The bridge acquired its current appearance during the Second Empire and has not changed since then. 
3. Bridge Saint-Michel (Pont St.Michael), built under Napoleon III. It is decorated with the emperor's monogram. From the bridge begins Boulevard Saint-Michel, leading to the Latin Quarter.
4. Notre-Dame Bridge
In 52 BC. The Romans came to these lands. Locals, defending themselves from the enemy, they destroyed the access routes to the island - they burned the bridges. However, this measure had a short-term effect, and the city was soon conquered. Active construction began on the Cite, during which the Petit Bridge was reborn from wood, and Notre Dame from stone. The next important stage in the life of the bridges came in 886, after the siege of the city by the Normans. Petit Pont was demolished by the waters of the overflowing Seine, and it was rebuilt, and Notre Dame, damaged during the hostilities, was replaced by new bridge Change (Pont au Change), built downstream. The last time it was reconstructed was in the 19th century. Nowadays, rollerbladers love it. And an army of caricaturists, cartoonists and simply artists are waiting for numerous tourists rushing to the famous Notre Dame Cathedral on the bridge. 
5. Pedestrian bridge O Double (Pont au Double) 
6. Pont des Arts was the first railway bridge over the Seine, built in 1802. It connects the buildings of the French Academy with the Louvre, and is very popular among tourists. Pont des Arts was captured by many famous French artists, including Auguste Renoir and Nicolas de Staël. Pont des Arts is for pedestrians only. No one bothers tourists there. Therefore, many, having spread a newspaper, simply settle down to have a snack right on the bridge. 
7. The two-level bridge Bir-Hakeim (Pont de Bir-Hakeim) is quite unusual. There is a metro along it (the upper level is reserved for trains), and cars pass through, and people pass by. It was built in 1949 according to the design of G. Eiffel, and the Bir Akeim Bridge was named after the place in Libya where a battle took place between French and German troops in 1942. On the eastern side of the bridge is Wederkinch's sculptural work "Rising France". From the Bir-Akeim Bridge, Swan (or Swan) Island begins, stretching in a narrow strip along the Seine. The bridge offers a beautiful view of Swan Alley. 
8. The Tournelle Bridge (Pont de la Tournelle) connects the island of Saint-Louis with the left bank of the Seine. It was built in 1651 on the site of the wooden King's Bridge, which had stood here since 1370. The bridge is crowned with a statue of Saint Genevieve, who saved Paris from the Huns. 
9. Austerlitz Bridge (Pont d'Austerlitz) The length of the bridge, located between Place Maza and the Austerlitz and Saint-Bernard embankments, is 200 m, width - 32 m. It was opened on March 5, 1807 and named in honor of the victory won by the army of Napoleon I over Russian and Austrian troops on December 2, 1805, near the village of Austerlitz. The names of the French military leaders killed in the Battle of Austerlitz are engraved on the ornaments decorating the bridge. In 1815, at the request of the allies who occupied Paris, the bridge was renamed the Royal (Jardin du Roi) ), but this name was not accepted by the Parisians.In 1830, the bridge officially received its original name again. 
10. The remarkable Sully Bridge. In the Russian tradition of abbreviating doubled consonants, it is sometimes called the Suli bridge. In the original language the name sounds like Le pont de Sully. The Sully Bridge in Paris connects the Ile Saint-Louis or the Ile Saint-Louis with both banks of the Seine River. The design received its name in honor of Duke Sully, who was the head of the French government under Henry IV. If you walk from the Boulevard Saint-Germain over the bridge and then follow the Boulevard Henri IV, you end up at the Place de la Bastille. The photo shows one of the parts of the bridge. 
11. I couldn’t find the name of the metro bridge. 
12. Bercy Bridge. It was built between 1831 and 1832, during the reign of Louis Philippe. Since its existence, this bridge, 175 m long and 40 m wide, has undergone many reconstructions and changes. As planned, the bridge was supposed to become a kind of entrance and exit from the city itself. But due to the fact that Paris was constantly growing, as a result it became a connecting link between the left and right banks of the city. In 1992, thanks to the architectural mastery of Christian Langlois, the Bercy Bridge was extended by three additional lanes and now carries the 6th metro line. 
13. Tolbiac Bridge (Pont de Tolbiac). 
14. Pont Alexandre III, perhaps the most impressive and elegant in Paris, leads from the Champs-Elysees on the Right Bank to the Invalides on the left. The decoration of this structure, containing figures of pegasuses, angels and nymphs, is made in a playful and at the same time noble eclectic Beaux-Arts style, combining the best traditions of the French Baroque and Italian Renaissance. The luxurious Pont Alexandre III, named after the Russian Emperor, was founded by Nicholas II in 1896 in honor of the Franco-Russian alliance and opened on the eve of the 1900 World Exhibition. 
15.
Paris, the world capital of fashion, fragrance, wine, the most delicious pastries and cheeses, was founded on the Seine River. From time immemorial, bridges have been built across the Seine. At first they were wooden, later stone, and even built up with buildings (commercial and residential). The development of the city is inextricably linked with bridges, of which there are about 38 today.
Initially, it was a wooden structure that arose in the 9th century as a crossing for the central part of Paris. Later, in the 17th century, the bridge (viaduct) was replaced with a stone one. Characteristic feature This structure contained about 140 residential buildings and over 100 shops of traders and money changers, for which the bridge received its name. This viaduct is very well described in the work of P. Suskind “Perfume”. 
This is one of the oldest architectural monuments of the city, which was founded in the 16th century by King Henry III. The main purpose of this structure was to relieve congestion on the Bridge of Changes and Notre Dame. This viaduct is considered a unique symbol of the decline of the Middle Ages, and no additional buildings are provided on it. 
This crossing is also quite ancient. The project of the wooden building was developed in 1605 by the architect Christophe Marie. Later the bridge was named after him. But as a result of the flood of 1658, the crossing was practically destroyed; it was rebuilt from stone and this building has survived to this day. 
Royal Bridge (Royal)
One of the three oldest bridges in the city. The construction of the crossing took place from 1685 to 1689 under the patronage of King Louis XIV.
When, at the beginning of the 19th century, wooden and stone bridges were recognized as unsanitary, dangerous to human life and unaesthetic, the first iron bridge was built by order of Napoleon. This crossing connected the French Academy and the Louvre Museum ( former Palace Arts), hence its name. is pedestrian: from here you can enjoy the beauty of the city, as well as relax on a bench, or have a snack in a small snack bar. And couples in love also consider it the most romantic place in Paris, so they come here to install locks as a symbol of their love. 
This structure is considered very symbolic: it was built from the remains of the stone Bastille. At first the bridge was named Revolution, but was later renamed in honor of one of the city squares. Today it is one of the most frequently used crossings in Paris. 
The Bercy crossing was originally built in 1832. At that time it was located outside the city limits, and crossing it was subject to tax. In 1864, a new bridge was erected, which largely repeated the design of the old one, but was larger in size and reinforced with supports and fastenings. 
In the original, the crossing was called Solferino and was built in honor of the victory of the allied forces of France and Italy over Austria. The bridge was opened in 1861 by Emperor Napoleon III. But over time, the building collapsed, and a new viaduct was erected in its place, which was named after the first president of Senegal. 
This is another symbolic building of Paris. It coincided with the victory of the French and their allies over Russia in the Battle of the Alma River (Crimean War). The bridge is also known tragic event: Princess Diana died in a car accident in the tunnel below. The “Flame of Freedom” torch is located there, which since that sad moment has become a kind of memorial to the princess and a place of pilgrimage for many of her fans. 
This pedestrian bridge, built in 2006, connects the 12th and 13th arrondissements of Paris. This crossing is considered brilliant technical structure because it is shaped like an eye. 
This crossing, thanks to its openwork metal structures, has a very elegant shape. Three arches are harmoniously connected to each other, and they are decorated with 4 statues cast in bronze (one of them symbolizes Paris, the second - Navigation, the third - Commerce, and the fourth - Abundance). The poet Guillaume Apollinaire dedicated one of his works to this bridge. 
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As you know, Paris was born on a small island on the Seine River and it was from here that the history of the great city began. Therefore, the first crossings in Paris connected the island of Cite with the right and left banks of the Seine. At first they were built of wood, but later they were converted into stone, and many were even built with buildings. The history of inhabited bridges in Paris is not simple. The first shops of artisans and merchants appeared already in the 12th century, and by the 15th century the first residential buildings and shops could be seen on the Notre-Dame Bridge (Pont Notre-Dame). Thanks to them, he quickly became shopping mall cities. However, by order of the king in 1786, all buildings were demolished from the bridge.
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New bridgeThe new bridge (pont Neuf) is in fact the oldest surviving bridge. Its construction began at the end of the 16th century, when Paris already had 4 river crossings, but they could not cope with the ever-increasing traffic. He was needed in order to defuse the situation on Memenalny and the Notre Dame Bridge. The peculiarity of this viaduct at that time was that there were no buildings on it.
This, in turn, caused indignation among merchants, who were accustomed to seeing bridges in Paris lined with shops and residential buildings. Undoubtedly, this building is one of the symbols of the city, for which it was repeatedly mentioned in the works of artists and writers.
The Bridge of Changes (Pont de Change), on its site, like on the site of most crossings in the center of Paris, was originally a wooden structure in the 9th century. Subsequently, around 1638, a stone bridge was built, on which extensive construction of houses began - over the entire period there were about 140 houses and more than 100 money changers’ shops, for which it was named so.
The royal development agreement stated that all buildings must correspond and fit together, all structures must be made of the same material and be on the same level. As a result, all the buildings on the bridge looked like two rows of identical houses with shops and shops on the ground floor, which overlooked the narrow street between them.
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Pont des Arts
Pont des ArtsBy the time the first iron bridge of the Arts (Pont des Arts) appeared in Paris, inhabited bridges already had a reputation as unsanitary, dangerous and anti-aesthetic structures. This viaduct, built in 1801-1804 by order of Emperor Napoleon, is now pedestrian.
Therefore, many passersby stop here just to have a snack or sit on a bench, because the view from the building and the place itself are of extraordinary beauty. This crossing connects the Louvre Museum and the French Academy, and since the Louvre was previously called the Palace of Arts, the bridge began to be called accordingly.
The Alexander III Bridge (Pont Alexandre III) is directly related to Russia. It was built in 1896-1900 in honor of the conclusion of a military alliance between France and Russia. And it was named after the father of Emperor Nicholas II, Alexander III, who, during construction, himself laid one of the stones at the foundation of the structure.
Many consider this bridge to be the most luxurious in Paris. And indeed, even from afar, the structure sparkles with gilded figures located on four 17-meter columns and at the same time amazes with its lightness, because the bridge is single-span.
The Solferino Bridge was built in Paris to commemorate the victory of French troops against the Austro-Italian army near the Italian village of Solferino. It bore this name until 2006, now it is the “Leopold Sedar Senghor Pedestrian Bridge”. It was opened in 1861 and originally consisted of three cast-iron arches connecting the Tuileries and Anatole France embankments. Then it was not pedestrian and was used only for traffic.
By 1960, the bridge's structures had fallen into disrepair and it was destroyed. And exactly a year later, a new pedestrian bridge was built in the same place, which served until 1992, as it was a temporary structure. Then, based on the results of an international competition for the design of a new bridge, the design of engineer Mark Mimram was chosen, which involved the construction of a lightweight structure. And in 1999, an elegant 115-meter arch rose over the Seine River, connecting the Tuileries Garden with the Orsay Museum.
The bridge is striking in its beauty and simultaneous simplicity of design: the wooden deck is supported by two mesh arches connected by traverses. Designed in a modernist style, the Solferino Bridge not only fits organically into the Parisian landscape, but is also an important topographical feature on the city map.
Coordinates: 48.86182100,2.32471200
Tournel Bridge
The Tournelle Bridge is one of the oldest bridges in Paris. It was erected in 1651 on the site of the wooden Bridge of the King, built in 1370, demolished during a flood, and connected the island of Saint-Louis with the left bank of the Seine.
There were many predecessor bridges. First, a new wooden bridge was built in 1618-1620, and there was a fee to cross it. However, in the spring of 1637, it was demolished during an ice drift, and the Parisians again built a wooden bridge, which stood for only 17 years - until the next flood. And only then, taught by the sad experience of the past, the townspeople began to build a bridge of stone. It stood for much longer, but, alas, in 1910 the treacherous waters of the Seine destroyed it again, although not completely. And in 1918, the bridge was finally dismantled.
The next construction began in 1923-1928. This time, the structure turned out to be more durable, and above the bridge rises a statue of Saint Genevieve, the patroness of Paris, who once protected the city from an attack by the Huns. It is not known whether the secret of the strength of this bridge is hidden in engineering subtleties, or whether it is connected with holy patronage - in any case, this bridge is much more stable than its predecessors!
Coordinates: 48.85066100,2.35536400
Grenelle Bridge
The Grenelle Bridge is one of three bridges that crosses the so-called Swan Island. He doesn't have any architectural features, but is interesting for the sights that surround it. The current bridge was built in 1966 on the site of an earlier cast-iron structure that had connected the banks of the Seine since 1873.
The main attraction, which is clearly visible from the Grenelle Bridge, is a small copy of the Statue of Liberty, which adorns the western tip of Swan Island. It was presented by the Americans for the centenary of the storming of the Bastille. This is a symbolic act, because the sculpture installed in New York was made by a French sculptor, and by donating a copy of it to France, the US authorities expressed their gratitude. On the plaque that the statue holds in her hands are embossed historical dates - the day the US Constitution was signed and the day of the storming of the Bastille, connected by an equal sign.
Coordinates: 48.85021600,2.28024200
Carrousel Bridge
The Carrousel Bridge in Paris connects the Quai des Tuileries and the Quai Voltaire. The bridge received its name several years after completion of construction. King Louis Philippe called it "Pont du Carousel" because on the right bank of the Seine next to Arc de Triomphe Place Carrousel was located.
The bridge's architect was Antoine-Rémy Rolonkau, who brought to life an innovative design. At that time, Paris had mostly suspension bridges, and the Carrousel Bridge became an arched bridge. At the same time, wood was used in materials along with cast iron. At both ends of the bridge, stone sculptures were erected, depicting allegorical images of industry, abundance, the city of Paris and the Seine River.
In 1906, after almost 70 years of operation, it was decided to organize the first serious restoration of the bridge. Wooden elements were replaced with similar ones cast in iron. However, the bridge was considered too narrow for the increasingly busy road traffic, and its height was no longer sufficient for modern river transport. It was decided to abandon the bridge completely and build a similar bridge downstream. Today, a new reinforced concrete bridge crosses the river with three arches. It is equipped with a telescopic lighting system consisting of height-adjustable lights.
Coordinates: 48.86000000,2.33333300
Alexander III Bridge
The bridge was founded as a sign of friendship between Russian Empire and France, and named in honor of the Russian Emperor Alexander III. This bridge is considered by many to be the most elegant in Paris. It is he who can be seen on most postcards associated with Paris.
The decorative decoration of the bridge, with figures of pegasi, nymphs and angels, is a striking example of the Beaux Arts style. On the sides of the entrance to the bridge there are 17-meter lamp posts, above which bronze figures hover, symbolizing Agriculture, Art, War and Battle. In the center of the bridge arches are a nymph of the Seine with the coat of arms of France and a nymph of the Neva with the coat of arms of Imperial Russia, both made of copper.
Coordinates: 48.86434800,2.31343000
Charles de Gaulle Bridge
The Charles de Gaulle Bridge, named after the first president of the Fifth Republic, is the 37th Parisian bridge, which is a very original architectural structure - its shape resembles an airplane wing. This bridge connects Austerlitz and Lyon train stations. The length of the bridge is 238 meters and the width is 35.
What distinguishes the Charles de Gaulle Bridge from most Parisian bridges is not only its very original appearance. Unlike its many brothers, this bridge is one of the most powerful. Its structures are capable of withstanding enormous overloads. Eg, Weight Limit that the Charles de Gaulle Bridge can support is about 5 thousand tons!
Coordinates: 48.84252700,2.36895300
Tournel Bridge
Paris, one of the most beautiful and romantic European cities, can easily be called a city of bridges. After all, there are as many as 37 of them in the city. The Tournelle Bridge connects the left bank of the Seine River and the island of Saint-Louis. From the bridge you can admire a beautiful view of the eastern tip of the Ile de la Cité and the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. The history of the bridge dates back to 1369, when it was made of wood. That same year, the bridge was flooded by a river that overflowed its banks and practically destroyed it.
Only in 1651, after several attempts at reconstruction, a stone bridge was erected, which, as it turned out, also could not withstand the raging elements. Incorrect construction technology, or perhaps simply poor quality material, did not allow the bridge to withstand the flood of 1910, which brought global destruction.
In 1918, it was decided to completely demolish the bridge. In 1923-1928, a completely new bridge was built, which we can see today - the Tournelle Bridge. The width of the bridge is 23 meters, and the entire length is 122 meters. The patron saint of the bridge is Saint Genevieve, whose statue is located on the bridge.
Coordinates: 48.82847200,2.42648600
Pont des Arts
The pedestrian bridge of the Arts, connecting the banks of the Seine, is the first iron bridge in Paris, built at the beginning of the 19th century. It is the link on the city map between the French Academy and the Louvre. The Arch Bridge of the Arts consists of seven spans, each 22 meters long, supported by six reinforced concrete pillars lined with stone. The total length of the bridge is 155 meters and the width is 11 meters.
Construction of the bridge began on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte. It got its name from the fact that at the beginning of the 19th century the Louvre with its collections of works of art was called the Palace of Arts - the name migrated to the bridge. About 50 years after its construction, in 1852, Emperor Napoleon III decided to rebuild the bridge. The main result of this work was the expansion of the bridge.
During the First and Second World Wars, the Pont des Arts was seriously damaged by bombing, and frequent collisions with barges caused the destruction of the stone cladding. A complete reconstruction of the bridge was carried out in 1981-1984, when it was returned to its original shape. Only the number of arches has changed - there are seven of them instead of the original nine. Opened to pedestrians in 1984, the Pont des Arts has gained immense popularity among Parisians, who picnic right on the bridge in the summer and sometimes host art exhibitions here. In addition, many famous artists captured it in their works.
Coordinates: 48.85881400,2.33776700
Bridge of Concord
The Concorde Bridge, or the Concorde Bridge, is the main connecting artery between the Tuileries embankment and the Place de la Concorde with the Quai d'Orsay and the Bourbon Palace located on the right bank. First of all, the Pont de la Concorde is famous for the fact that stones from the destroyed Bastille were used in its construction. Long before the appearance of the bridge, a temporary crossing was located in its place, which it was decided to replace with a permanent bridge after the construction of Place de la Concorde. Construction began in 1787 under the direction of the master of French classicism Jean-Rodolphe Perronet.
The first name of the bridge was different - “Pont Louis XVI”, but after completion of construction in 1791, it was replaced by “Bridge of the Revolution” and was supposed to symbolize the victory over absolutism. The Bridge of Concord is a more modern name.)
During the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte, it was decided to decorate the bridge with sculptures of eight generals of the French army who died in battle. After the power of the Bourbon dynasty was established, sculptures of generals were replaced by images of great historical figures and ministers. However, these statues turned out to be too heavy and threatened to collapse the bridge. For this reason they were transported to Versailles. The last reconstruction was carried out in 1930-1932, when its capacity was almost doubled. These days, the Pont de la Concorde is one of the busiest bridges in Paris.
Today, the Pont de la Concorde can easily be called the busiest in Paris, because more vehicles pass through it every day than any other Parisian bridge.
Coordinates: 48.86343000,2.31959300
Notre Dame Bridge
The Notre Dame Bridge is one of the oldest bridges in Paris and is one of the main attractions of the city. It is known that the first bridge on this site was built by the Romans and burned down in 52 BC and was rebuilt. In 885-886, when the island was besieged by the Normans, the bridge was again destroyed and a small bridge with a mill was built in its place.
In 1413, by decree of King Charles VI, the mill was removed, and in its place a wooden bridge appeared, which, according to the then prevailing tradition, was built with houses and trading shops. It was then that the name Notre Dame appeared. In 1499, the bridge was destroyed; after some time, a new stone bridge appeared in its place, which was almost immediately overgrown with houses and shops.
The next reconstruction of the bridge was carried out in 1660 - in honor of the wedding of Louis XIV and the Spanish princess Maria Theresa, and in 1786 all buildings were removed from it. In the mid-19th century, a new bridge with five arches was built on the old foundation. At the same time, it was decided to replace the three central arches with a metal structure - this was done in order to prevent collisions of barges with the bridge. Unfortunately, such incidents happened more than once, for which people called the bridge “devil’s”.
In 1919, another restoration of the Notre Dame Bridge was carried out, and today it is very popular among rollerbladers, and tourists rushing to the famous cathedral are greeted by cartoonists and cartoonists.
Coordinates: 48.85621600,2.34862600
Bridge Changed
The length of the bridge is about 100 meters, width - 30 meters, including two six-meter sidewalks.
It appeared in the capital of France in the 9th century. It was made of wood. In the 17th century, the bridge was made of stone. At the same time, it was decorated with statues of kings, because socialites often traveled across the bridge. They are still kept in the Louvre.
Why is this strange name? Because the French got smart and built on the bridge not a lot, not a little, but more than 200 houses and shops. All points were at the mercy of local money changers and jewelers. Hence the name.
The Money Changer Bridge is so famous that it is often written about in fiction. An episode in the film "Perfume" based on the book by Suskend is dedicated to him. The main character worked in a store on the bridge. There is a beautiful moment in the film when the house is destroyed and its rubble falls into the Seine. In Hugo's Notre Dame and Les Miserables, entire chapters are devoted to the bridge.
Coordinates: 48.85657500,2.34670300
Debey Pedestrian Bridge
In the center of Paris there is an arched pedestrian bridge spanning the Seine River. It is located near Eiffel Tower and connects the New York waterfront with the Quai Branly. They call it Debeilly, in honor of the French general Jean-Louis Debeilly, who distinguished himself at the Battle of Jena in 1806. The length of the bridge is 125 meters, width 8 meters. The opening was timed to coincide with the World Fair in 1900, on the initiative of Commissioner General Alfred Piccard. The architect was Jean Resal, who was also the author of the designs for the Alexander III Bridge and the Austerlitz Viaduct.
The metal frame of the bridge is supported by two stone supports installed along the edges of the banks. The outside of the columns is lined with dark green ceramic tiles, which is associated with waves. The shape of the bridge is made in the form of an arc with beautiful twisted iron railings.
After the Eiffel Tower, construction pedestrian bridge, is considered the second greatest technical achievement of the early 20th century. However, in 1941 they wanted to demolish it, but the president of the architectural society of Paris insisted on preserving and restoring the Debeilly bridge. In 1966 he was added to the supplementary list historical monuments.
Coordinates: 48.86183500,2.29758700
Bridge Saint Michel
The Pont Saint-Michel is one of the oldest bridges in Paris. It connects Place Saint-Michel and the Ile de la Cité and is located near the famous Pont de Change. The bridge received its name in honor of the chapel of the same name located nearby.
The original bridge was built on this site in 1378, designed by the architect Gugu Aubrio, who was responsible for the construction of the Bastille. The construction of a new bridge was due to the fact that the nearby Small Bridge, built by the ancient Romans, could no longer withstand the increased flow of people and carts, and the city was in dire need of a new transport artery. Almost immediately after the construction of the bridge, merchants began to build their homes and shops on it. All this made the structure heavier and more unstable, and floods quite often washed away all the buildings on the bridge.
A major reconstruction of the Saint-Michel Bridge became possible only at the end of the 18th century, when Louis XVI introduced a ban on the construction of any buildings on the bridges. The last most significant reconstruction of the bridge was carried out in 1850, giving it a modern appearance.
Coordinates: 48.85400700,2.34452300
Bridge Royal
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Royal Bridge was included in the list of historical monuments of Paris. This is the third oldest bridge in Paris, but the first in terms of the number of reconstructions.
Since 1550, at the site where the Royal Bridge is now located, a ferry operated to cross the Seine. In 1632, a wooden bridge of St. Anne with 15 arches was built here. It was first repaired 17 years later, and after another 2 years it was completely rebuilt. After a fire in 1654, almost the entire bridge burned down and was rebuilt again by the year 60.
After half of the arches were carried away by a flood in 1884, Louis XIV decided to build a stone bridge on this site. He gave it the name Pont Royal, which means “Royal Bridge”.
Coordinates: 48.86012000,2.32990600
Bir Akeim Bridge
The two-level Bir Akeim Bridge is one of the most unusual bridges in Paris. This is a steel structure, the lower tier of which is reserved for vehicle traffic, and the upper tier has a metro line. There is also a path for pedestrians.
The bridge was erected in the first half of the twentieth century on the site of an older structure built in 1878. The author of the project was the famous engineer Alexander Gustav Eiffel. The name of the bridge was given in honor of a small Libyan settlement where the French army fought with German troops.
In addition to its original design, the Bir Akeim Bridge is a very picturesque attraction and is one of the most famous Parisian bridges. In its eastern part stands the sculpture “Reviving France”, created by the sculptor Vererkinch. It is here that the hero of Marlon Brando appears in the very first scene of the film “Last Tango in Paris”. And it is from this bridge that Swan or Swan Island begins with its magnificent views.
Coordinates: 48.85570500,2.28774100
New bridge
Although this bridge is usually called the New, in fact it is the oldest bridge in Paris. The new bridge is favorite place artists, writers and filmmakers, it has been immortalized in numerous works of modern art.
In 1578, King Henry III, its founder, laid the first stone in it, then King Henry IV in 1607 opened it and consecrated it, after which the bridge received its name. In 1985, the bridge fell into the hands of the artist Christo along with his wife Jeanne-Claude. Work on it lasted about 10 years, solely because the project required approval from Mayor Jacques Chirac.
The new bridge was the first stone bridge crossing the Seine, on which houses were not built, since the king believed that they might spoil the view of the Louvre, to which Henry IV was very partial.
The length of this twelve percent huge structure is 275 meters. In the central part of the bridge there is a statue of Henry IV. The new bridge, like many bridges of that time, was built in the Romanesque style, namely in the form of a series of short arches.
The New Bridge was one of the busiest places in Paris: on both sides there were temporary shops that disappeared only in the 19th century.
Nowadays, the bridge is also mega popular, because it is the most romantic bridge in Paris, which connects the right and left banks of the Seine River with the western part of the Ile de la Cité. We all remember how Juliette Binoche suffered on it in “Lovers from the Point Neuf Bridge.”
Coordinates: 48.85658300,2.34087900
Small Bridge
The Petit Bridge is one of the oldest bridges in Paris. Its design fully corresponds to its name, since the length of the arched stone structure that connected the banks of the Seine is only 20 meters. Information about the bridge at this place dates back to the time of the conquest of Gaul by Roman troops.
The first bridges on this territory were built in ancient times, when Celtic tribes lived here. When Roman troops approached the Isle of Cité, the Celts burned all the bridges connecting the island with the rest of the world. So they tried to prevent invaders from entering their territory. The Romans had no choice but to build a new bridge. However, the wooden Small Bridge they built was destroyed in 886. Then there were heavy rains, and the water in the Seine rose so high that it simply demolished the bridge that was in the way. After this, the bridge was rebuilt several times.
Over time, residential buildings and retail shops grew on the Small Bridge - this was a distinctive feature of that era. And thanks to numerous retail outlets, the bridge has become one of the centers economic life cities. This was the case until 1393, when the bridge was washed away again, as in 1408. But the persistent Parisians rebuilt it every time in the same place. The last time the Small Bridge was restored was in 1852, and it is in this form that it has been preserved to this day.
Coordinates: 48.85331200,2.34694800
Bridge of Invalides
The Pont des Invalides, built in 1829 and rebuilt in 1855, is an arch bridge located between the Pont Alma and the Pont Alexandre III. Nearby is the Invalides, hence the name of the bridge. Structurally, the bridge is a structure of four arches, two of which are 34 meters long, and two are 36 meters long.
The initial design of the bridge was developed in 1824-1825, but construction was completed only 4 years later. In addition, the project was changed. At first it was planned that the bridge would be suspended and lie on the axis of the Invalides esplanade, but in the end the design turned out to be different. That bridge stood until 1854, and a new structure appeared only a year later - as part of Paris's preparations for the World Exhibition.
The Invalides Bridge is one of the most interesting buildings. On its central support there is a figure that is a symbol of Napoleon’s numerous victories, and the sculptural heads placed on the other supports are war trophies.
Coordinates: 48.86316600,2.31040000
Bercy Bridge
The Bercy Bridge in Paris was built between 1831 and 1832, during the reign of Louis Philippe in France. Previously, crossing the Seine was carried out by ferry. Since its long existence, this bridge has undergone many different reconstructions and changes. According to the architect's idea, the bridge was supposed to become a kind of entrance and exit from Paris itself.
But Paris was constantly growing, as a result, the Bercy Bridge became a connecting link between the left and right banks of the city, carrying out transport communications between two parts of the city.
In 1992, thanks to the architectural mastery of Christian Langlois, the Bercy Bridge was extended by three additional lanes and now carries the 6th metro line. On this moment The length of the bridge is 175 meters and the width is 40 meters. The materials used to make the Bercy Bridge were stone and reinforced concrete.
Coordinates: 48.83822700,2.37492100
Alma Bridge
The Alma Bridge, located near the square of the same name, is an arched bridge with a length of 150 meters, one of the most famous landmarks of Paris. It got its name in honor of the victory of the French army over Russian troops in the Battle of Almina, during the Crimean War. The bridge was opened in 1856 by Emperor Napoleon III. In 1900, during preparations for World's Fair its length was doubled - a small pedestrian bridge was added.
Each of the four pillars of the bridge was once decorated with a sculpture of a military man - a zouave (as the light infantry regiments were called), a grenadier, an artilleryman and an infantryman. They served not only as a decorative element, but were also used from a practical point of view. It was convenient to determine the water level in the Seine using the statues. For example, if the water completely covered the soles of the Zouave’s feet, the police blocked the approaches to the river; if the water rose to the thighs, navigation on the river was closed.
The Alma Bridge acquired its modern appearance in 1970-74 - the ancient bridge could no longer cope with the needs of the increased traffic flow. After reconstruction, the statues were removed from the bridge and taken away from Paris; only the figure of the Zouave remained in its original place.
Coordinates: 48.86410800,2.30191100
Archdiocese Bridge
The Bridge of the Archdiocese in Paris connects the Ile de la Cité with the left bank of the Seine. The bridge has become a place for walks and romantic meetings for newlyweds and couples in love, who leave locks with their names engraved on the bridge railings, and send the key to the bottom of the Seine.
The three-arch bridge is made of stone, its length is 68 meters and its width is 11 meters. The bridge was built two centuries ago, its construction was headed by the engineer Ploirot. The bridge is built on low arches that impede the passage of river traffic, but, nevertheless, the bridge was never rebuilt. The name of the bridge was given due to the nearby archdiocese.
Coordinates: 48.85176000,2.35169800
Pont d'Iena Bridge
The Pont d'Iena Bridge is located in the Champ de Mars area, between the left and right banks of the Seine in the city of Paris, France. The bridge connects the Chaillot Palace and the Parisian Trocadéro district, and also leads to the foot of the famous Eiffel Tower.
The bridge was designed and built by order of Napoleon in 1807, in honor of his Prussian victories. The construction of the bridge was carried out from 1808 to 1814, and a huge amount of funds was allocated for its construction at that time. All construction costs were covered by the state.
The structure of the bridge is represented by five arches, the arc of each of which is 28 meters. Near each arch of the bridge, an imperial eagle is engraved.
By the second half of the 19th century, the problem of insufficient capacity of the bridge, whose width at that time was only 14 meters, first appeared. And in 1937, under the project of the French government, the bridge was restored and expanded to 35 meters.
Coordinates: 48.85976700,2.29222500
Sights of Paris
