Pont Neuf (Paris)
France /
Ile-de-France /
Paris
World
/ France
/ Ile-de-France
/ Paris
France / World / Île-de-France / Paris / Paris, 1er arrondissement / Paris, 1er arrondissement
road bridge, listed building / architectural heritage, stone bridge
The oldest stone bridge in Paris dates from 1607.
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Pont Neuf
The Pont Neuf is the oldest standing bridge in Paris, France, across the river Seine. Ironically, its name means "new bridge" in French (the name, coined in the early 17th century, stuck).
The total length of the bridge is 278 m, its width 28 m. It is actually composed of two separate spans, one of 5 arches joining the south (left) bank to the Île de la Cité, another of 7 joining the island to the north (right) bank.
The Pont Neuf has small head-shaped sculpted decorations, as well as round places off the pavement so that passers-by can rest and watch the river.
The decision to build the bridge was taken by King Henri IV, who would lay its first stone and inaugurate it. Its construction started in 1578 and was completed in 1604 (or 1607, depending on sources). The Pont Neuf is constructed as a series of many short arch bridges, as most bridges of that time were built. Contrary to the habits of the time, the bridge 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. The bridge had heavy traffic from the beginning; it was for a long time the widest bridge in Paris. The structure has never been altered, although the bridge has undergone repair and renovation work. The wooden posts supporting the foundations are still the originals.
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Pont Neuf
The Pont Neuf is the oldest standing bridge in Paris, France, across the river Seine. Ironically, its name means "new bridge" in French (the name, coined in the early 17th century, stuck).
The total length of the bridge is 278 m, its width 28 m. It is actually composed of two separate spans, one of 5 arches joining the south (left) bank to the Île de la Cité, another of 7 joining the island to the north (right) bank.
The Pont Neuf has small head-shaped sculpted decorations, as well as round places off the pavement so that passers-by can rest and watch the river.
The decision to build the bridge was taken by King Henri IV, who would lay its first stone and inaugurate it. Its construction started in 1578 and was completed in 1604 (or 1607, depending on sources). The Pont Neuf is constructed as a series of many short arch bridges, as most bridges of that time were built. Contrary to the habits of the time, the bridge 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. The bridge had heavy traffic from the beginning; it was for a long time the widest bridge in Paris. The structure has never been altered, although the bridge has undergone repair and renovation work. The wooden posts supporting the foundations are still the originals.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont_Neuf
Nearby cities:
Coordinates: 48°51'26"N 2°20'29"E
- Le Louvre 1.1 km
- Les Invalides 2.3 km
- Gare d'Austerlitz - Austerlitz Station 2.3 km
- Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital 2.3 km
- Hopital Saint-Louis 2.7 km
- Gare du Nord - Paris 3.1 km
- Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris 4 km
- Fort de Nogent 10 km
- Abbaye de l'Épau 183 km
- Château du Lude 210 km
- Conciergerie 0.3 km
- Palace of Justice - Court of Cassation 0.3 km
- Ile de la Cite 0.4 km
- Prefecture of Police Headquarters 0.5 km
- Square Saint Michel 0.5 km
- 1st arrondissement (Louvre) 0.7 km
- Paris plage 0.7 km
- Latin Quarter 0.9 km
- 6th arrondissement (Luxembourg) 1.2 km
- 4th arrondissement (Hotel de Ville) 1.2 km
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