Paris is a city of bridges, many of which have a colorful history. With 37 bridges crossing over the Seine River, visitors can spend days exploring the beautiful and varied bridges of Paris.
The Pont Neuf is the oldest and probably most famous of all the bridges in Paris. Its first stone was placed in 1578 by Catherine de Médicis, and it has been classified as an historical monument since 1889.
The Pont Alexandre III, with its sculptured decor and graceful single arch, was built for the Universal Exposition in 1900. As the Exposition took place on both sides of the Seine, the bridge allowed easy access for the millions who attended the event.
Originally constructed in 1804, the Pont des Arts is located at the tip of Ile de la Cite next to the Louvre. This bridge was rebuilt in 1984 and has long been a favored meeting place for artists and tourists alike.
The Pont Charles de Gaulle was built in 1996 and resembles the wing of an airplane. This bridge provides a link between the quai de la Rapee and the quai d'Austerlitz.
Another of the oldest bridges in the city along with the Pont Neuf, the Pont Royal was historically a place of great festivities. It has been classified as an historical monument since 1939.
The Pont Sully features three cast-iron arches and actually consists of two bridges, one extending over the left bank, and one over the right bank.
At the narrowest point of the Seine, the Petit Pont has been restored eleven times, the last in 1853.
