19 Striking Bridges in Paris You Can’t Miss

Among the many things Paris is famous for, architecture is certainly among the top five, and many bridges in Paris are architectural marvels worth seeing.

Believe it or not, there are 37 bridges in Paris crossing the river — the oldest is Pont Neuf — and many of them, if not all, should be on your itinerary when visiting Paris.

While each of these bridges offers something unique, some are more photo-worthy than others, and our list covers the best bridges to visit in Paris. 

Further out, most bridges in Paris offer spectacular views of the river and the city. When visiting, you’ll find yourself immersed in the history of Paris.

At night, the city lights and hopefully the view of the Eiffel Tower from one of these Parisian bridges make an incredible experience. No visit to Paris is complete without visiting these remarkable bridges.

How to See the Parisian Bridges

While you can stroll along the Seine and take in the beauty of these bridges, you can also go on a Seine cruise and look at them from a different and unique perspective.

You have two options: a day cruise or a dinner cruise. Both options are lovely but have different focuses.

Still, regardless of the cruise you choose, you will be mesmerized by the beautiful sights along the Seine.

Click here to book your day cruise or here to book your dinner cruise

19 Most Beautiful Bridges in Paris

Here are the most striking Parisian bridges you can see in the city.

1. Pont Alexandre III (Alexandre III Bridge)

Pont Alexandre III is a Beaux-arts style bridge and has been a French monument since 1975. It’s a recognizable landmark in Paris.

For reference, Pont Alexandre III is located in the center of Paris and spans the Seine. 

Of all the Parisian bridges, the Pont Alexandre III is one of the most beautiful and emblematic, in our opinion.

This elegant bridge is most famous for its winged horses, gilded statues, and beautiful architecture. It is an exquisite symbol of Art Nouveau.

When admiring the Pont Alexandre III bridge, you’ll notice fine details in its design with elements that symbolize mystical objects, animals, flowers, and renaissance lanterns.

The Pont Alexandre III foundation stone was laid in the 19th century by Tsar Nicholas II. This bridge gets its name from his father, Alexander III.

Further out, the Pont Alexander III symbolizes France and Russia’s friendship and alliance in 1891.

2. Pont De Bir-Hakeim (Bir-Hakeim Bridge)

The Pont De Bir-Hakeim is a dual-level bridge 777 ft long and 81 ft wide. The upper level is designated for vehicles, and the lower is for pedestrians. Further out, the Pont Bir-Hakeim bridge is at the northern tip of Île aux Cygnes.

This local’s favorite bridge is famous for its views of the Eiffel Tower and has striking iron sculptures and statues.

The figures of science and labor created by Jules-Felix Coutan and the statue of electricity and commerce by Jean Antoine Injalbert are in the bridge’s central arch.

La France Renaissance is one of the essential statues found on the bridge and was offered to Paris by the Danish in the 20th century. 

This bridge was previously called Pont de Passy but was renamed in 1948 to commemorate the battle of Bir-Hakiem.

This Parisian bridge became a tourist attraction after it appeared in Inception, one of the movies set in Paris.

3. Pont De La Tournelle (Tournelle Bridge)

With a turbulent story, Pont De La Tournelle was once a wooden bridge built in 1620, washed away by ice in 1637 and 1651, then it was rebuilt in 1654 as a stone bridge, but demolished in 1918 and replaced by the current bridge in 1928.

Nowadays, this arch bridge provides one of the best views of Notre Dame, a beautiful Parisian church, and was built with no symmetry to represent the shapeless landscape of the Seine. 

This bridge links the 5th and 4th arrondissements and aligns with Pont Marie. 

The Pont De La Tournelle has a grand central arch and two smaller arches decorated with a statue of Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris.

4. Pont Neuf (Neuf Bridge)

There are many historic bridges in Paris, and the Pont Neuf is likely the oldest, built in 1607.

In 1889, Pont Neuf was listed as a French monument, and today it is most well known as the oldest existing bridge and the first to cross the Seine entirely. 

This stone bridge is across the Seine River through the Île de la Cité. 

Point Neuf has one very notable statue, an equestrian statue of Henry IV. This bronze statue was built in 1614 but was destroyed during the French Revolution. So in 1818, the city rebuilt the bridge again. 

Other adornments on the Pont Neuf are the twelve arches or the 384 grotesque faces representing mythical creatures, making this bridge unique.

The Pont Neuf is also one of the most visited bridges in Paris due to its statues, unique design, and location, of course.

5. Pont Des Arts (Arts Bridge)

The Pont Des Arts bridge is the first iron bridge ever constructed in Paris. 

Curiously, the Pont Des Arts bridge was built between 1801 and 1804, and the original design should have resembled a suspended garden.

This bridge is popular for casual strolls and is a great place to take photos. 

Pont Des Arts is a pedestrian bridge that offers some of the best views of the Seine, connecting the Institut de France to the Louvre Museum.

Beyond that, the Pont Des Arts is known as the most romantic bridge in Paris and attracts artists, photographers, and lovers from all over the world. (So it doesn’t come as a surprise a stroll here is one of the most romantic things to do in Paris.)

In addition, many tourists visit due to their curiosity about the love locks previously attached to the bridge.

Lovers would attach engraved locks to the bridge and throw away the key as a symbol of eternal love.

The locks were removed in 2015 as the bridge could no longer withstand their weight, and sadly no locks are permitted on this iron bridge today.

However, this did not stop tourists and locals from visiting this place, which remains one of the most famous bridges in Paris. 

6. Pont Mirabeau (Mirabeau Bridge)

The Pont Mirabeau bridge is famous not only for the statues but because of a well-known poem of the same name by Guillaume Apollinaire.

From the bridge, you can view the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty.

The Pont Mirabeau bridge is located across the Seine from the 15th arrondissement to the 16th arrondissement. 

Design-wise, the Pont Mirabeau has four statues on the outer side of the bridge. 

Jean Antoine Injalbert designed these statues and called them “abundance,” “navigation,” “The city of Paris,” and “commerce.” 

This striking bridge was constructed in 1893 and was the first metal bridge to be built with two cantilevered frames to balance it—an art piece!

7. Pont Saint-Michel (Saint Michael’s Bridge)

The original Pont Saint Michel was built in the 1300s, but the current Paris bridge dates back to 1857.

This bridge gets its name from the chapel of Saint-Michel, and it links the Palais de Justice to the Place Saint Michel. 

This bridge was constructed at the request of Napoleon III, and his initial (the letter “N”) is on each pile of the bridge. 

This bridge is also known for its history, namely the 1961 massacre of Algerian protesters. 

8. Pont D’iéna (D’iéna Bridge)

Pont D’iéna is not the most famous bridge in Paris but is considered a historical monument in the city. 

The Pont D’iéna bridge is close to the Champ de Mars Park and the Eiffel Tower. It is another bridge that goes across the Seine river. 

In addition, the Pont D’iéna bridge got its name from Napoleon’s victory in 1806 at the battle of Jena.

Design-wise, this Parisian bridge has five arches and imperial eagles. The eagles were replaced with the royal letter “L” after the fall of the first empire. 

Still, when Napoleon III ascended the throne, he replaced the “L” with the eagles again.

Today, four other equestrian statues with warriors decorate the Pont D’iéna bridge.

9. Passerelle Debilly (Debilly Footbridge)

The Passerelle Debilly is one of the Parisian bridges for cyclists and pedestrians and has been on the list of historical monuments since 1966.

The Passerelle Debilly is between the Pont de l’Alma and the Pont d’Iena bridges.

It was constructed to accommodate visitor traffic at the 1900 World’s Fair, but in 1906 it became a permanent fixture.

In addition, the Passerelle Debilly has a metal structure and consists of three spans. 

The dark green decorated finishes on the bridge represent waves, and the metal framework represents the engineering and building materials used at that time.

10. Pont au Change (Moneylenders’ Bridge)

Pont au Change is one of the many bridges in Paris that crosses the Seine River. 

This bridge was featured in the novel Les Miserables and is named after the moneylenders who settled on this bridge.

In addition, the Pont au Change is located at the border between the 1st and 4th arrondissements and connects the Ile de la Cite and Place du Chatelet.

The current bridge dates back to the second empire, but the original one was built in the 12th century.

The bridge has the letter “N” engraved on it, representing Napoleon III.

Further out, Pont au Change has fantastic views of the Conciergerie and Place du Chatelet and is one of the most photographed bridges in Paris. 

11. Pont Marie (Marie Bridge)

The Pont Marie bridge dates back to the 17th century and is named after its engineer Christophe Marie. 

This bridge connects the Ile Saint-Louis to the Quai de I’Hotel de Ville on the left bank. The Pont Marie is the second oldest bridge that crosses the Seine.

During its construction, the bridge was plagued with financial difficulty until its completion in 1635. 

Houses were built on the bridge and occupied by 1652. In 1658, the Seine flooded, and many homes were destroyed. The remaining houses were demolished before the French Revolution.

12. Pont au Double (Silver Penny Bridge)

Not many Paris bridges have such a prime location as Pont au Double: next to the Notre Dame Cathedral and near Shakespeare and Co, one of the best places to visit in Paris to feel the local history.

Namely, the Pont au Double bridge connects the Notre Dame to the Quai de Montebello, crossing the Seine River.

As one of the many bridges in Paris for pedestrians, Pont au Double is an elegant bridge that is closed to cars.

This bridge was originally constructed in 1634 and was used throughout the Middle Ages to transport the sick to the Hotel Dieu. 

Local residents could also use the bridge but were required to pay a toll, a double “dennier.”

The Pont au Double collapsed in the 18th century but was rebuilt into the beautiful bridge we see today.

13. Passerelle Simone-De-Beauvoir (Simone-De-Beauvoir Footbridge)

Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir was named after a French writer and is one of the more recently constructed bridges. It opened in 2006.

This footbridge has a modern design with a lens-shaped structure, which is quite unusual and captivating.

In addition, the Passerelle Simone-De-Beauvoir is located between Pont de Bercy and Pont de Tolbiac. 

This footbridge connects the National Library of France and Bercy Park, one of the many beautiful parks in Paris.

As you might have imagined, the Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir is popular among skateboard and rollerblade enthusiasts due to its slopes and different levels.

14. Pont De La Concorde (Bridge of Concord)

Pont De La Concorde connects the Quai des Tuileries and the Quai d’Orsay. This stone arch bridge was built in 1791.

Maybe this is one of the few bridges in Paris that has had multiple names throughout history, including the Pont de la Revolution and the Pont Louis XVI.

Further out, the Pont de la Concorde offers stunning views of the river, Place de la Concorde, and Eiffel Tower.

15. Pont Charles-De-Gaulle (Charles-de-Gaulle Bridge)

Many bridges in Paris, like the Pont Charles de Gaulle, are designed for traffic. Still, this one-way bridge offers a unique spot to watch the sunset.

It connects the 13th arrondissement to the 12th arrondissement.

With the rapid expansion in the south of France and developments like the Bibliotheque Francois Mitterrand and the Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy Stadium, there was a growing need for a bridge so that people could get from one side of the Seine to the other. 

It’s less frequently visited compared to other bridges, but that makes it ideal for a bit of sightseeing without the crowds.

The Pont Charles de Gaulle is a steel-reinforced modern bridge constructed in 1996 and was named after General Charles de Gaulle, a French army officer in World War II.

16. Pont Levant de La Rue de Crimée (Rue de Crimée lift bridge)

The Pont Levant de La Rue de Crimée was the first lift bridge in Paris and is classified as a historical monument.

This Parisian bridge is located over the Canal de l’Ourcq by the Bassin de la Villette. The Pont Levant de La Rue de Crimée was a significant engineering feat and can still be seen in operation today.

If you’re lucky, you can admire this bridge in the 19th arrondissement in operation as the boats that pass underneath it.

Before the Pont Levant de La Rue de Crimée was established, a swing bridge was built in 1874. This was the replacement of another bridge, this time made of wood, but that burned down in 1871 during the Paris Commune.

In 1885, the steel lift bridge was inaugurated, and today, visitors can still visit the Pont Levant de La Rue de Crimée, and most of its early design and historical influence can be admired.

17. Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor (Léopold-Sédar-Senghor Footbridge)

The Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor is a footbridge found over the Seine River in the 7th arrondissement.

This bridge connects the Tuileries Garden and Museum D’Orsay and is a great place to take a few pictures of Paris.

The Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor bridge was named after the victory of the Battle of Solferino in 1859 but was only constructed in 1861. 

Unfortunately, the bridge sustained considerable damage from barges crashing into it, weakening the structure, and it was replaced with a footbridge in 1961.

The latter was demolished in 1992, giving place to the Passerelle we know today.

The most prominent feature of this footbridge is the wood used in its flooring: ipê, a Brazilian tree.

18. Pont de Sully (Sully Bridge)

Pont de Sully is one of the Paris bridges constructed after the French Revolution. It consists of two separate bridges that meet at the tip of the Ile Saint-Louis and go over the Seine River.

Despite these bridges being separated into two, they are classified as the Pont Sully.

This bridge offers stunning views of the Institute du Monde Arabe and Notre Dame. 

The Sully Bridge was constructed in 1876 in honor of Maximilien de Bethune, the Duke of Sully.

The Sully Bridge is a cast iron and stone arch bridge worth checking out; visitors can admire the bridge and the boats that occasionally pass by.

19. Pont Du Carrousel (Carrousel Bridge)

The Pont Du Carrousel is lined up directly with the entrance to the Musee du Louvre. It lies over the Seine between the Quai des Tuileries and the Quai Voltaire. 

Architecture-wise, the Pont Du Carrousel is made of concrete and stone to match its surroundings.

This Parisian bridge has four statues designed by Louis Petitot, which depict the city of Paris, Industry, Abundance, and the Seine River.

The first construction of the Pont Du Carrousel began in 1831. That bridge was used until 1906.

In 1906, a restoration was carried out, and all wooden elements of the bridge were replaced with iron.

However, it was determined in 1930 that the bridge was too low, and it was demolished but later rebuilt in a different location downstream.

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