Pont Neuf (Paris)

Pont Neuf (Paris)

Pont Neuf is located on the western side of Île de la Cité in France and is the oldest bridge over the Seine River in Paris, connecting the Left Bank and the Right Bank of the city. Its name was chosen to distinguish it from the many other bridges that link the two sides, making it one of the most iconic bridges in Paris.

The construction of Pont Neuf began in 1578, proposed by King Henry III. Due to design changes and the outbreak of the French Wars of Religion, it was not completed until 1607 and was officially inaugurated by King Henry IV. The bridge is 278 meters long and 28 meters wide, and can be divided into two sections: the part between Île de la Cité and the Left Bank has five arches, while the section connecting to the Right Bank has seven arches, showcasing its grand scale. When it was first completed, the bridge was extremely busy with traffic. For a long time, it was the widest bridge in Paris. It has since undergone multiple restorations and updates, including the reconstruction of the arches, which were changed from semicircular to elliptical. From 1994 to 2007, a major restoration project was carried out to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the bridge's completion.

At the point where Pont Neuf crosses Île de la Cité, there are three equestrian statues of King Henry IV. This sculpture was reconstructed in 1818, and inside the statue are four boxes containing historical documents about Henry IV, a 17th-century parchment approving the construction of the statue, the approval documents for the reconstruction, and a list of the members of the public who contributed to the funding.

Pont Neuf

Must-visit reason: The oldest bridge over the Seine River in Paris

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: France[France]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Île-de-France Region [Ile-de-France Region]

City where the attraction is located: Paris [Paris]