Top Bridges to visit in Paris

Like most bridges in Paris, Pont Marie connects the Ile Saint Louis with the Quai de l’Hotel de Ville and dates back to the 16th century. The five-arch bridge was originally designed to facilitate the flow of traffic and is 22 meters wide. The bridge was opened in 1635 for traffic and was named in honor of the architect who developed the Ile Saint Louis. His name was Christopher Marie. The Marie Bridge is among the most popular and most visited historical monuments in Paris. It is also one of the oldest bridges built over the Seine River. The structure of the bridge was partially destroyed during the floods of 1658. In 1670, repair work was completed and the bridge was opened again for public. Except for a few technical adjustments, the Pont Marie has been preserved in its original shape. It has been claimed that Pont Marie is a lovers’ bridge and according to an old tradition you kiss your beloved and make a wish under its beautiful arches. Nevertheless, there is no solid evidence, albeit a number of tourists practice it without verification. The bridge is in close proximity of a number of beautiful attractions in Paris including Musee des Automates, Pont de la Tournelle, Hotel de Ville City Hall, Batostar and Mellow Bar and Musee de la Magie.

The Small Bridge or Petit Pont is an arch bridge that was originally constructed in 1853. Like most bridges in Paris, the Small Bridge crosses the famous River Seine. While it is one of the oldest bridges to be constructed on the Seine River, the bridge that you see today was only constructed in 1853. Since its very first construction, the bridge has been destroyed at least 13 times. Petit Pont was built during the times of Gallo Roman and is located in close proximity of Saint Michel Metro Station. In his comments on the Gallic wars, Julius Caesar mentioned a five arch bridge on the very site where the current bridge is located. In the new design of the bridge the number of arches was reduced to one. The original bridge featured three beautiful arches. The three-arch bridge was constructed during the reign of King Charles IV in 1394-1406. However, unfortunately, the bridge was completely destroyed by floods only months after the construction work was completed. The new bridge was opened for traffic in 1853. Some of the most popular tourist destinations located near Petit-Pont, or the Small Bridge, include Fountaine Saint Michel, Le Caveau de la Huchette, Happy Days Diner and Notre Dame Cathedral.

The Double Bridge built across the Seine River takes its name from the ‘double denier’, the toll money that was required to be paid to cross the bridge. The bridge built over the Seine River connects the 4th Arrondissement to the 5th Arrondissement, that is, from the epicenter of Paris - Île de la Cité to the quai de Montebello. It was during the reign of King Francis I that people were requesting a bridge to be constructed over the Seine River to carry patients to the Hotel Dieu hospital located on the Île de la Cité. Construction work began in 1626 and within a year, the bridge was opened for public. In 1709, the bridge collapsed. However, it was re-built and remained in place until 1847. The bridge that you see today was built in 1882. It was made of cast iron – had a single arch and was made up of two cast iron and steel. The bridge is in a great location and offers picturesque views of Notre Dame Cathedral, additionally, being only approx 20 meters wide, the bridge is only used by cyclists and pedestrians. The place is in close proximity of some great places such as Notre Dame Cathedral, Memorial de la Deportation des Juifs de France, Square Jean XXIII, Crypt Archeolgique du Parvis de Notre Dame, and Square Ile de France.

The Archbishopic Bridge built over the Seine River is an arch bridge that connects ile de la Cite with quai de Montebello. It is one of the narrowest and most beautiful road bridges in Paris that was built in 1828 after the destruction of Les Invalides. Nevertheless, due to its narrow design, some restoration work had to be carried out in 1857 as well. However, even after the renovation work, the bridge was unable to accommodate the growing traffic needs. The original design of the bridge was too narrow and was considered too dangerous to be used as a traffic bridge. The bridge is still called Pont de l’ Archeveche. The name was given to the bridge in 1828 and the 67 meter bridge features three arches made of stone. After the Pont des Arts was cleared of its display of padlocks in 2010, people started to place their love padlocks on this bridge. And don’t worry if you forget to take your padlock with you. There are plenty for sale nearby. The place is located in close proximity of some of the most popular buildings in Paris including Crypt Archiologique, Memorial des Martyrs de la Deportation and Notre Dame Cathedral.

16. Pont Sully (Sully Bridge) - Paris

Reconstructed by Georges-Eugène Haussmann, commonly known as Baron Haussmann after the French revolution in 1876, Pont de Sully is located at the extreme end of the Ile Saint Louis. Featuring a unique architecture, the bridge connects the Institut du Monde Arabe on the left bank and Pavillon de l’Arsenal on the right bank. The two sections of the bridge intersect at the tip of the Ile Saint Louis. The southern part of the bridge is comprised of three arches made of cast iron whereas the northern side has stone arches. At quayside look out for the inscription ‘1910’ which is an indication of the level reached during the great flood of the Seine in 1910. You can enjoy picturesque views of the quay at Norte Dame Cathedral and Ile Saint Louis. You’ll find some great tourist attractions nearby including Salon Chopin, Musee de la Sculpture en Plein Air, Pont de la Tournells, Square Bayre, and Jardin Tino Rossi. The bridge was named in honor of the Duke of Sully, Maximilien de Bethune who was the chief minister for Henri IV from 1596 to the king’s brutal assassination in 1610. The Sully Bridge is one of the few cast iron bridges that are preserved in Paris.

17. Pont de la Tournelle (Tournelle Bridge) - Paris

Like most bridges in Paris, Pont de la Tournelle is an arch bridge that spans over the famous Seine River. The bridge connects the Quai d’Orleans and the Quai de la Tournelle located on the Ile Saint Louis to the Quai de la Tournelle. The first structure of the bridge was built in the 16th century to link the left bank of the Seine River with the Ile Norte Dame. The bridge made of wood was completely destroyed by floods in 1651. In 1654, the bridge was reconstructed – a stone structure was erected this time. The bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in Paris and is decorated with a beautiful statue of Saint Genevieve. The statue was sculpted in 1928 by Landowski. The Tournelle Bridge was named after tourelle - a square tower that was an integral part of the Wall of Philip II Augustus. Nevertheless, the bridge was demolished in 1918 and was replaced by the bridge that we see today in 1928. The bridge is in close proximity of some of the most famous tourist attractions in Paris including Pont de l’ Archeveche, Memorial des Martyrs de la Deportation, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Square Jean XXIII.

18. Pont Louis Philippe (Louis Philippe Bridge) - Paris

The Pont Louis Philippe (Louis Philippe Bridge), at the western tip of the isle, on the left bank side, is open to traffic on July 26, 1834 by King Louis Philippe, who lays the first stone on July 29, 1833. During the 1848 revolution, a fire destroys a part of the bridge joining Île Saint-Louis to the left bank. The suspension cables of the upstream part melt, rushing about twenty victims to water. All tollbooths are also set on fire. Following these events, Pont Louis Philippe (Louis Philippe Bridge) is renamed Pont de la Réforme (Reform Bridge). After the toll is removed, the traffic intensifies so much that it becomes necessary to limit the crossing. The 1860 decree orders its replacement only on the right bank side of the Seine, and plans for a construction made of stone, resting on two piles of 4 meters width, with pillars cast by a bottomless caisson made of concrete. The main arch measures 32 meters while the lateral ones are of 30 meters. Bull’s eyes light up the galleries containing gas and water pipes. Its extension on the left bank side shall not be reconstructed.

19. Pont Saint Louis (Saint Louis Bridge) - Paris

Connecting Ile de la Cite Island with the Ile Saint Louis, the Saint Louis Bridge is one of the most popular bridges in Paris that was built in the 16th century. The bridge remained in use until the early 17th century, when it was swept away by flood. After the devastation of the bridge, a new bridge was built in 1717. Since it was painted red, the bridge became known as the Pont Rouge Bridge. This foot bridge was knocked down in 1795 and as a replacement a foot bridge made of wood was constructed. The Saint Louis bridge is in close proximity of Pont Louis Philippe, Memorial des Martyrs de la Deportation, Notre Dame Cathedral, Musee Boleslaw Biegas, Square Jean XXII, Salon Chopin Museum, Pont de l’ Archeveche and Musee Adam Mickiewicz. The metallic bridge that you see today was inaugurated in 1970 and is one of the most popular bridges in Paris that allows people to enjoy a stroll from the Ile de la Cite Island to the Ile Saint Louis. The bridge is very popular among street artists. You can enjoy beautiful performances by street singers, acrobats and musicians on the bridge.

20. Pont d’Arcole (Arcole Bridge) - Paris

The Arcole bridge or Pont d’Arcole is one of the most popular and historical bridges in Paris. Built over the Seine River, Arcole Bridge connects the Ile de la Cite Island - the place where Paris was founded - to the city hall. The place is in close proximity of Notre Dame Cathedral; one of the most beautiful churches in Paris, France.The bridge was constructed in the 18th century and was the first ever bridge in Paris built without a support. Earlier it was called the Pont de l’Hotel de Ville or the Passerelle de Greve. It was a two span suspended bridge with a central pier in the river. Nevertheless, in 1854, it was decided that the bridge over the River Seine should be replaced with a traffic bridge that would be able to handle the development and growth of the city, especially with development projects going on in that area. A pedestrian bridge was first constructed in this location; however the bridge you see today was built in 1850s because there was a need for a wider, larger bridge due to increasing traffic. It was later on named the Pont d’Arcole. The bridge is located in close proximity of the Equestrian statue of Etienne Marcel, Notre Dame Cathedral, Fountaine du Palmier, Place du Chatelet, and Tour Saint Jacques Tower.