The bridges of Paris are an integral part of the city’s landscape and historical heritage. Used daily by Parisians to ease their commutes, they also attract countless visitors every year. The Pont de l’Alma has become a place of remembrance since the tragic passing of Princess Diana, while the Pont des Arts—built under Napoleon and linking the Louvre Museum to the Institut de France—has long been a romantic spot where lovers fasten padlocks to the railings as a symbol of their commitment.
Some bridges are less well known to the general public, yet each has its own story to tell. Over the centuries, they have carried millions of people from all over the world and have witnessed defining historical events. Certain bridges stand as true witnesses to the history of France, while others, more recent, showcase modern architecture—such as the Pont Bir-Hakeim, topped with a metallic viaduct that carries Paris Metro line 6.
Today, 37 bridges span the Seine, connecting Île Saint-Louis, Île de la Cité, and the city’s Right and Left Banks. They can be crossed on foot, by car, or by train.
The bridges of the City of Light were first built to connect the two banks of the Seine, which winds its way through Paris for nearly 13 kilometers. Over the centuries, more and more crossings have appeared, each adding its own character and charm to the city’s landscape. Today, 37 bridges stretch across the Seine, linking neighborhoods, monuments, and islands, and telling their part of Paris’s story.
The pont Amont
The pont National
The pont de Tolbiac
The passerelle Simone de Beauvoir
The pont de Bercy
The pont Charles-de-Gaulle
The viaduc d’Austerlitz
The pont d’Austerlitz
The pont de Sully
The pont de la Tournelle
The pont Marie
The pont Saint-Louis
The pont de l’Archevêché
The pont au Double
The pont d’Arcole
The Petit-Pont-Cardinal-Lustiger
The pont Notre-Dame
The pont Saint-Michel
The pont au Change
The pont Neuf
The pont des Arts
The pont du Carrousel
The pont Royal
The passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor
The pont de la Concorde
The pont Alexandre III
The pont des Invalides
The pont de l’Alma
The passerelle Debilly
The pont d’Iéna
The pont de Bir Hakeim
The pont Rouelle
The pont de Grenelle
The pont Mirabeau
The pont du Garigliano
The pont Aval
You can admire them while strolling through the city, but you would have to walk many miles to see even a portion of them. For a truly unforgettable way to discover the bridges of Paris, choose a lunch or dinner cruise on the Seine. From the water, you’ll enjoy a whole new perspective on these landmarks and see them at their very best—a perfect opportunity to capture stunning photos!
The history of Paris is deeply tied to the presence of the Seine. The Celtic Parisii tribe first settled on its banks, and the Romans later founded the powerful city of Lutetia. Very quickly, the construction of bridges became essential to make movement easier for its inhabitants. In the time of the Vikings, only two bridges connected the Île de la Cité to the rest of the city: the Grand Pont and the Petit Pont. Repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, they now survive only in historical records and collective memory—with one exception: the Petit-Pont-Cardinal-Lustiger, built in 1853, which still stands on the very site of the original Gallo-Roman Petit Pont.
During the Middle Ages, several bridges were built to encourage trade and strengthen river commerce. They were not only passageways but also lively neighborhoods in their own right, lined with houses and shops along their roadways. Over time, however, the weight of traffic and dwellings, along with floods and fires, destroyed these medieval bridges. Today, nothing remains but their names and locations.
The era of the bridges we know today began in 1578 with the construction of the Pont Neuf, completed in 1607. At the time, it was revolutionary: a bridge without houses and equipped with sidewalks, hence the name “new bridge.” In the 17th century, construction of the Pont Marie was ordered to support the growing urbanization of Île Saint-Louis.
The Pont Royal was built under the reign of Louis XIV, linking Quai Anatole France to Quai François-Mitterrand and the Tuileries Gardens. It quickly became a lively gathering place and a hub of celebrations. A century later, Louis XVI forbade the construction of dwellings on bridges in the name of safety. During the French Revolution, the Pont de la Concorde was built from the stones of the demolished Bastille, linking the Tuileries (today Place de la Concorde) to Quai d’Orsay. To this day, this republican bridge supports particularly heavy traffic.
In the 19th century, modernity swept through Paris, and many of the old wooden bridges were rebuilt in stone to better withstand the moods of the river—such as the Pont de Sully and the Pont Mirabeau. The majestic Pont Alexandre III, connecting the 7th arrondissement (near Les Invalides and Quai d’Orsay) to the 8th arrondissement (by the Petit Palais and Grand Palais), was inaugurated in 1900 for the Exposition Universelle. Much later, the Pont Charles-de-Gaulle, opened in 1996, became the most recent road bridge in Paris. With its daring white steel architecture, it blends seamlessly into the modern landscape of Bercy and the National Library.
