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Pont Neuf

The Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge crossing the Seine in Paris, situated at the western tip of the Île de la Cité. Built between the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, it was the first stone bridge to span the entire river, connecting the Left Bank, the Right Bank and the island. Its name means 'New Bridge', so called because it was the first Parisian bridge without houses and with pavements for pedestrians, a novelty at the time. The bridge is 238 metres long and consists of two spans of arches: one of seven arches over the larger branch of the river and another of five over the smaller branch. Along its sides, 381 stone mascarons survive, each different, depicting mythological deities and satirical figures. At the point where it crosses the Île de la Cité stands the equestrian statue of Henri IV, an original work by Giambologna destroyed during the Revolution and rebuilt in 1818. The bridge has been listed as a historic monument since 1889 and is part of the Banks of the Seine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Historically it was the nerve centre of Paris, a public space where merchants, street performers and all kinds of characters gathered, and today it remains a place for a stroll, with views over the Seine and the island.

Things to do at Pont Neuf: 3 missions

• Walk across the Pont Neuf over the SeineWalk across the Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge crossing the Seine in Paris.
• Visit Puente NuevoVisit Puente Nuevo in Paris and recognise the place on the ground.
• Look at the bridge's MascaronsAdmire the 381 stone masks, each different from the others, that decorate the sides of the bridge.

Near Pont Neuf

Source: Fuentes verificadas