Pont Neuf

The Pont Neuf (French for "New Bridge") is the oldest standing bridge across the river Seine in Paris, France. Its name, which was given to distinguish it from older bridges that were lined on both sides with houses, has remained.

Standing by the western point of the Île de la Cité, the island in the middle of the river that was the heart of medieval Paris, it connects the Rive Gauche of Paris with the Rive Droite.

The bridge is composed of two separate spans, one of five arches joining the left bank to the Île de la Cité, another of seven joining the island to the right bank. Old engraved maps of Paris show how, when the bridge was built, it just grazed the downstream tip of the Île de la Cité; since then, the natural sandbar building of a mid-river island, aided by stone-faced embankments called quais, has extended the island. Today the island is the Square du Vert-Galant, a park named in honour of Henry IV, nicknamed the "Green Gallant."

Construction

As early as 1550, Henry II was asked to build a bridge here because the existing Pont Notre-Dame was overloaded, but the expense was too much at the time.

in 1577. The bridge was ultimately completed in 1606 with a less ornate design.]] In 1577, the decision to build the bridge was made by King Henry III who laid its first stone in 1578, during which year the foundations of four piers and one abutment were completed. A major design change was made in 1579 requiring the widening of the bridge to allow houses to be built (though they never were) made the piers on the long arm longer. These piers were built over the next nine years. After a long delay beginning in 1588, due in part to the Wars of Religion, construction was resumed in 1599. The bridge was completed under the reign of Henry IV, who inaugurated it in 1607.

Like most bridges of its time, The Pont Neuf is constructed as a series of many short arch bridges, following Roman precedents. It was the first stone bridge in Paris not to support houses in addition to a thoroughfare, and was also fitted with pavements protecting pedestrians from mud and horses; pedestrians could also step aside into its bastions to let a bulky carriage pass. The decision not to include houses on the bridge can be traced back directly to Henry IV, who decided against their inclusion on the grounds that houses would impede a clear view of the Louvre, which he extended substantially during his reign.

The bridge had heavy traffic from the beginning; it was for a long time the widest bridge in Paris. The bridge has undergone much repair and renovation work, including rebuilding of seven spans in the long arm and lowering of the roadway by changing the arches from an almost semi-circular to elliptical form (1848-1855), lowering of sidewalks and faces of the piers, spandrels, cornices and replacing crumbled corbels as closely to the originals as possible. In 1885, one of the piers of the short arm was undermined, removing the two adjacent arches, requiring them to be rebuilt and all the foundations strengthened.

A major restoration of the Pont Neuf was begun in 1994 and was completed in 2007, the year of its 400th anniversary.

Under the wide arches, on the paved quais, the destitute of Paris called clochards have always huddled.[]

The equestrian statue of Henry IV

after Pietro Tacca.]] At the point where the bridge crosses the Île de la Cité, there stands a bronze equestrian statue of King Henry IV of France, originally commissioned from Giambologna under the orders of Marie de Médicis, Henri’s widow and Regent of France, in 1614. After his death, Giambologna's assistant Pietro Tacca completed the statue, which was erected on its pedestal by Pietro Francavilla, in 1618. It was destroyed in 1792 during the French Revolution, but was rebuilt in 1818, following the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy. Bronze for the new statue was obtained with the bronze from a statue of Louis Charles Antoine Desaix and cast from a mold made using a surviving cast of the original. Inside the statue, the new sculptor François-Frédéric Lemot put four boxes, containing a history of the life of Henry IV, a 17th-century parchment certifying the original statue, a document describing how the new statue was commissioned, and a list of people who contributed to a public subscription.

Resting place of Jacques de Molay

bridge, facing the trees at the tip of the island.]] The last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, Jacques de Molay, was burned at the stake on the Île de la Cité near the Pont Neuf, on 18 March 1314. The execution was ordered by Philippe le Bel (Philip the Fair) after Jacques retracted all of his previous confessions, which outraged Philip.

Access

___
located near the metro station: Pont Neuf.

Location

Bridge location on the Seine:

Bridge location
Downstream:
Pont des Arts
Upstream:
Pont au Change
Pont Saint-Michel
</center>

See also

  • Les Amants du Pont-Neuf (The Lovers on the Bridge), a film by Leos Carax, released in 1991.
  • List of crossings of the River Seine

References

External links

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Fernando T.
5 October 2014
It's called the "new bridge" but it's actually the oldest in Paris! Excellent views. Statue of Henri IV, first Bourbon king of France. Here was burned Jacques de Molay, the last Master of the Temple.
Kate Davis
23 May 2014
The Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge in Paris and worth the trip across for the great views, equestrian statue and the ornate lamp posts along the length of it.
Edouard Lerisse
29 April 2017
Check out Les jardins du Pont Neuf. It's a bar under the famous bridge. It's an illuminated barge perfect for fun and intimate moments with your friends or your special one
Basil MC
3 August 2013
Below the statue of the beloved Henri-Quatre is a memorial to the last know Grand Master of the Knights Templars, Jacques de Molay. Find it and pay homage to this legendary person.
Murat
15 May 2022
One of the bridges over the river, connecting both sides, over the island. Oldest bridge in the city. Good for taking scenic photos in any direction. Just be careful with very busy traffic.
Liliana Benitez
15 September 2018
Un lugar hermoso para un atardecer. Y sí Paris es muy romántico.
Load more comments
foursquare.com

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Magnificent Studio Heart of Paris

starting $87

Melia Paris Notre-Dame

starting $678

Hotel Les Rives de Notre Dame

starting $606

Hotel Le Notre Dame

starting $299

Hotel Henri IV Rive Gauche

starting $249

Hotel Esmeralda

starting $99

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Place Dauphine

The Place Dauphine is a public square located near the western end of

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois

The Church of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois is situated at 2, Place du

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Sainte-Chapelle

La Sainte-Chapelle (English: The Holy Chapel) is a Gothic chapel on

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Conciergerie

The Conciergerie (French: La Conciergerie) is a former royal palace

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Pont des Arts

The Pont des Arts or Passerelle des Arts is a pedestrian bridge in

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Théâtre du Châtelet

The Théâtre du Châtelet is a theatre and opera house in Paris, Fr

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Pont au Change

The Pont au Change is a bridge over the Seine River in Paris, France.

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Place du Châtelet

The Place du Châtelet is a public square in Paris, on the right bank

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Pont Royal

The Pont Royal is a bridge crossing the river Seine in Paris. It is

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Farndon Bridge

Farndon Bridge crosses the River Dee and the England-Wales border

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Severan Bridge

The Severan Bridge (Chabinas Bridge or Cendere Bridge, Turkish:

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Castelvecchio Bridge

The Castelvecchio Bridge (Italian: Ponte di Castelvecchio) or Skaliger

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Luzhniki Metro Bridge

Luzhniki Metro Bridge (Russian: Лужнецкий метромос

See all similar places