View Petit-Pont (Small-Bridge) in 360 virtual tour
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.