Bridges such as the Pont des Arts, the famous Love Lock Bridge in Paris, complement the views of the river and the city at night.
No visit to Paris is complete without taking a stroll along with one of its many bridges. Here is a list of some of our favorite bridges in Paris including the stories behind them!
The History of Paris’ Bridges
The city of Paris did not always have bridges crossing the Seine River. It wasn’t until 864 A.D. that the passing of the Edict of Pistres mandated the building of bridges across the Seine River in response to the sack of Paris by Vikings in 845 A.D.
This strategy proved effective during the Siege of Paris in 885 A.D. as Viking ships were unable to pass beyond the bridges crossing the Seine.
From that point, many bridges began to be built and some even by “private investors” of sorts. Yes, people would build bridges with the goal of charging a toll to cross the bridge and make a profit.
Why Do People Put Locks on This Bridge?
While Pont des Arts is definitely the most famous “love lock” bridge it is not the original “love lock” bridge. The tradition did not start in France let alone in Paris. On top of that, the practice of adding locks to the bridge is illegal today and we do not recommend you do this yourself.
In 2006, a film named Ho Voglio di Te (I want you) hit the theatres in Italy. I first watched it in 2015 and remember being particularly struck by a scene where two lovers write their name on a lock and attach it to Ponte Milvo, a bridge in Rome, before throwing the key in the river. I remember thinking, “this is corny… they copied off Pont des Arts in Paris!”
It turns out this tradition was coined in that very movie which inspired the “love lock” tradition to begin on Ponte Milvo in Rome! Why didn’t it become more popular in Rome? Ponte Milvio isn’t exactly in the center of the city so I am guessing it didn’t catch on mostly for the lack of convenience of visitors.
Pont des Arts is right near the Louvre which makes it a very convenient destination for lovers of all ages to visit during their trip! Again, while the tradition was not born in Paris, it is definitely the most famous love lock destination.
Although the Pont des Arts are famed for locks being added to it, it is illegal to do so today. The locks collectively deplete the bridge’s structural integrity which is a risk for the bridge and those who walk across it.
Not only is it illegal but Parisian locals frown upon the practice as they are passionate about their cities art & architecture.
5 Famous Paris Bridges
There are now thirty-seven bridges crossing the Seine River within the city limits of Paris. Of these 37, only five are pedestrian bridges. Here are some of the most iconic bridges in Paris.
Visiting bridges instead of a museums is a pretty alternative way of visiting a city and a great way to feel part of its fabric. If are looking for other interesting things to do check out our Le Marais Food Tour in Paris.
5. Pont de Bir-Hakeim
Formerly the Pont de Passy, the Pont de Bir-Hakeim is named for the World War II Battle of Bir-Hakeim which involved French and German forces in Africa in 1942.
This dual-level bridge hosts one level for pedestrians and motor vehicles and another level with a railway viaduct. This steel bridge passes through the artificial island of Île aux Cygnes, where visitors will see a replica of the Statue of Liberty.
The Pont de Bir-Hakeim makes cameo appearances in blockbuster movies such as Inception and National Treasure: Book of Secrets.
It’s also a great place to look out over Paris’ most famous attraction: the Eiffel Tower. If you’re looking to learn more about it, we wrote the Eiffel Tower Travel Guide, including the 10 things you must know before you visit.
Heading to Paris and want to see Love Lock Bridge from the eyes of a local? See our Paris in a Day tour which includes a walk over this famous landmark.
4. Passerelle Simone-de-Beauvoir
The Passerelle Simone-de-Beauvoir is named for French philosopher and activist Simone de Beauvoir and is the most recently-built bridge in Paris.
Completed in 2006, the Passerelle Simone-de-Beauvoir is used solely by bicyclists and pedestrians and leads to the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, the French national library.
The modern design of this footbridge boasts a lens-shaped structure that does not touch the water at any section of the bridge. Its supports rest on the banks of the Seine River at each side.
3. Pont Alexandre III
The Pont Alexandre III is Paris’ famous Beaux-Arts style bridge. Named after Tsar Alexander III and built in 1900, the Pont Alexandre III boasts iconic sculptures depicting fames and nymphs from Greek and Roman mythology.
The bridge debuted at the Exposition Universelle in 1900 along with the Grand Palais and Petit Palais.
The Pont Alexandre III is built in alignment with Les Invalides. It connects the Eiffel Tower with the Champs-Élysées. The bridge’s exuberant design is featured in cameo appearances in movies such as Ronin, Midnight in Paris, and Anastasia.
2. Pont Neuf
The Pont Neuf is Paris’ oldest existing bridge across the Seine River. The bridge is located on the westernmost point of the Île de la Cité, one of Paris’ two natural islands in the Seine River.
Henry IV completed the construction of this “new bridge” and inaugurated the structure in 1607. Visitors to the Pont Neuf will enjoy its many sculptures including the macarons, stone masks that line the side of the bridge, and the bronze statue of Henry IV on horseback located at the crossing of the Île de la Cité.
The bridge should be the number one most famous bridge for a few reasons. First, the statue of Henry IV on horseback, referred to as an equestrian statue, was a very big deal. It may sound silly today, but getting an equestrian statue in your city sort of put you on the “map” so to say.
Also, the raised sidewalk on this bridge was a completely new feature in western-civilization. Prior to this, roads were flat from side to side and often were dirty and, in rainy Paris, muddy. This bridge offered raised elevated paved sidewalks which got people outside strutting their stuff. Paris’ fashionable nobles began to abandon their horse and carriages so they could be “seen” walking across Pont Neuf. It is part of the reason why fashion became part of the fabric of Paris – pun intended!
So why isn’t Ponte Neuf Paris’ most famous bridge? In the end, love prevails and Pont des Arts has a stronger impression on pop culture.
Heading to Paris and want to see Love Lock Bridge from the eyes of a local? See our Paris in a Day tour which includes a walk over this famous landmark.
1. Pont des Arts (The Famous Love Lock Bridge in Paris)
The Pont des Arts connects the Institut de France with The Louvre. The bridge was originally constructed in 1804 during the reign of Napoleon.
The original Pont des Arts suffered two aerial bombardments during World War I and II. It has also been abused by passing boats. There have been numerous collisions with boats before collapsing in 1979 after a ship rammed into it.
The present-day bridge was built in 1984 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the rest of the Seine Riverfront in Paris.
The Pont des Arts is a popular spot for picnics and open-air art studios. The bridge’s position along the Seine River and The Louvre makes it a popular spot for photographers as well.
The Pont des Arts is most famous for being the Lock Bridge in Paris. Visitors to the bridge attach personalized padlocks to its railing and throw the keys away in the Seine River.
Despite the government of Paris removing many of the locks in 2015, over a million more (approximately 45 tons) have been placed on the bridge since then.
Where to Stay in Paris
With a city as magnificent as Paris, it can be hard to find the perfect hotel at the perfect price. Explore the best hotels and places to stay in these incredible neighborhoods in Paris.
I Want More Paris!
- Not sure what to do in Paris? Check out our step-by-step guide about how to do Paris in a Day. If you’d rather let us guide you, check out our Paris tours.
- Parlez-Vous Francais? Learn some of the most important French phrases before your trip to Paris.
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You might mention a side of the “love lock” bridge collapsed in 2014 and the city has since replaced the sides of the bridge with plexiglass. You can see the river through it but you can’t hang the heavy, damaging locks on it any more. Love locks were a cute idea but a disaster for the bridge and the keys tossed into the river below were a major pollutant.
YOU CANT REPLACE THE VALVES IN MY HEART.