Pont Alexandre III, Paris © French Moments
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Last Updated: 14 July 2022

This is one of my favourite bridges in Paris. Spanning the River Seine, Pont Alexandre III dates back to 1900 and is reminiscent of the Belle Epoque era. Nowadays the city’s most ornate bridge connects the Grand and Petit Palais to the Hôtel des Invalides. Let’s have a closer look at the bridge’s history and decorative features.

 

Why was Pont Alexandre III built?

Pont Alexandre III by night © French Moments
The bridge by night © French Moments

Pont Alexandre III was built in the same period as the Grand and Petit Palais, in time for the 1900 World Exhibition.

Russian emperor Nicholas II himself laid the first stone on the 7th October 1896 in the presence of French President Félix Faure.

Laying of the first stone by Tsar Nicholas II in 1896
Laying of the first stone by Tsar Nicholas II in 1896

The new bridge symbolises the Franco-Russian friendship and the alliance signed between the two nations (Tsar Alexandre III and French President Sadi Carnot) in 1891.

Pont Alexandre III in Paris © French Moments
Commemorative inscription © French Moments

A commemorative inscription on a column (Right Bank) reads:

“Le 14 avril 1900, Émile Loubet président de la République Française a ouvert l’exposition universelle et inauguré le pont Alexandre-III”

The 14th April 1900, French President Emile Loubet opened the World Exhibition and inaugurated the Alexandre III bridge.

In fact, the sumptuous bridge was dedicated to the Tsar’s father, Alexander III (1845-1894).

In the same political spirit, Nicholas II of Russia commissioned the Trinity Bridge in Saint-Petersburg (Russia). The French firm Société de Construction des Batignolles was completed in 1903, in time for the 200-year anniversary of Saint Petersburg.

Pont Alexandre III circa 1900
The bridge circa 1900

The bridge connects the tree-lined street of Cours-la-Reine (8th arrondissement) and Quai d’Orsay (7th arrondissement). On the Right Bank, it continues Avenue Winston Churchill which gives access to the Grand and Petit Palais.

Pont Alexandre III, Paris circa 1900 © French Moments
The bridge from Avenue Winston Churchill circa 1900

 

A technical success!

Engineers Resal and Alby designed the proposed bridge according to the technical requirements of the day. Rules prevented it to:

  • interrupt river traffic passing along the Seine.
  • be built with several arches.
  • mask the beautiful perspective leading to the Invalides.
Pont Alexandre III and the Eiffel Tower late afternoon © French Moments
The bridge and the Eiffel Tower late afternoon © French Moments

Technically, the bridge was an engineering success. It includes a 6m high single-span steel arch across the Seine.

 

More facts:

  • The total length is 160 metres and the width is 40 metres.
  • The bridge has been equipped with electric street lighting since its construction in 1900.
  • The bridge serves motor vehicle traffic and pedestrian.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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An extravagant beloved bridge

This bridge ranks amongst the Parisians’ favourite bridges. By walking on it, you’ll clearly understand why. Observe the many exuberant Art Nouveau features:

  • candelabras,
  • cherubs,
  • nymphs,
  • winged horses, and
  • an array of sculptures (lions, cupids, water sea monsters, scalloped seashells, lizards…).

 

The nymphs

In the centre of the bridge, statues in beaten copper represent the nymphs symbolising:

  • the River Seine on the downstream side and
  • the River Neva (in Russia) on the upstream side.

 

The candelabras

32 bronze candelabras decorate the bridge. The remarkable street lamps have been lit up with electricity since the bridge’s construction. They are positioned across the bridge at regular intervals.

Pont Alexandre III in Paris © French Moments
The bridge’s deck and the lamp posts © French Moments

The street lamps contribute to the splendour and exuberance of the bridge, particularly at night time. But they are also beautiful to admire when not in use in bright daylight!

Get closer and you’ll recognise the coat of arms of Paris!

Pont Alexandre III in Paris © French Moments
Coat of arms of Paris © French Moments
Pont Alexandre III in Paris © French Moments
Coat of arms of Paris © French Moments

The candelabras placed towards the end of the bridge are much bigger in size. They feature cherubs and sea monsters.

Take the time to admire the decoration along the bridge deck. You’ll find aquatic fauna and flora featured finely executed.

If you are visiting the bridge, I challenge you to find this little lizard!

Pont Alexandre III in Paris © French Moments
Lizard © French Moments

 

The pillars topped with winged horses

At each extremity of the bridge are two monumental pillars.

Pont Alexandre III in Paris © French Moments
Two of the monumental pillars (Left Bank) © French Moments

The 17 metres high masonry structures provide stabilisation and counterweight for the bridge’s arch. While not interfering with the monumental views from and outside the bridge!

The Winged horse of Pont Alexandre III © French Moments
The Winged horse of Pont Alexandre III © French Moments

Four gilt-bronze statues of Fames bringing Pegasus to heel dominate the bridge. They were restored in 1991 and nowadays sparkle with light!

 

  • The Pegasus and Fames on the Right Bank depict Peace

Renommée des Sciences (“Fame of the Sciences”) and Renommée des Arts (“Fame of the Arts”)

At their bases, La France Contemporaine (“Contemporary France”) and France de Charlemagne (“France of Charlemagne”).

  • The Pegasus and Fames on the Left Bank depict War

Renommée du Commerce (“Fame of Commerce”) and Renommée de l’Industrie (“Fame of Industry”).

At their bases, La France de la Renaissance (“France of the Renaissance”) and La France de Louis XIV (“France of Louis XIV”).

Finally, at the feet of the pillars, you’ll discover groups of lions led by children and genies with fish and shells.

Pont Alexandre III in Paris © French Moments
The lion sculpture © French Moments

 

My favourite time of the day!

This bridge is beautiful at all times… but my favourite part of the day is at sunset on a glorious Winter day.

If you’re patient enough, you’ll be rewarded with one of the most spectacular views of Paris!

Pont Alexandre III and the Eiffel Tower at sunset © French Moments
The bridge and the Eiffel Tower at sunset © French Moments
Pont Alexandre III and the Eiffel Tower at sunset © French Moments
At sunset © French Moments
Pont Alexandre III and the Eiffel Tower at sunset © French Moments
The bridge and the Eiffel Tower at sunset © French Moments
Pont Alexandre III and the Eiffel Tower at sunset © French Moments
At sunset © French Moments

 

Also, a cruise on the River Seine gives you the great opportunity to admire (and pass beneath!) the bridge from a different perspective!

Book your one-hour cruise tickets online here…

The river journey starts right at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The tickets feature:

  • Instant ticket delivery
  • Smartphone tickets accepted
Pont Alexandre III and the Eiffel Tower seen from Pont de la Concorde © French Moments
The bridge and the Eiffel Tower from Pont de la Concorde © French Moments

 

How to get to Pont Alexandre III?

Pont Alexandre III in Paris © French Moments
Pont Alexandre III from Pont de la Concorde © French Moments

Pont Alexandre III is a very accessible bridge to see thanks to its central location.

You can easily reach it on foot from the Champs-Elysées, the Place de la Concorde, the Eiffel Tower or the Hôtel des Invalides.

Alternatively, find your way to two métro stations:

  • Invalides (lines 8, 13, and RER C) on the Left Bank
  • Champs-Elysées Clemenceau (lines 1 and 13) on the Right Bank

 

Pin it for later:

Pont Alexandre III in Paris © French Moments

Gems of Paris by French Moments
About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of the Discovery Course on the Secrets of the Eiffel Tower and the Christmas book "Voyage au Pays de Noël".

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  1. A great article on MY favourite bridge in Paris. I have spent countless hours checking out all the amazing details and I can’t wait to see it again. Thanks Pierre.

  2. Hello,

    I’m french and I am doing a research project on the Pont Alexandre III. Unfortunately, I am having a hard time finding documents and informations on the bridge’s restoration. Where did you find informations on the 1991 restauration ? Have you find any other restaurations ?

    1. Bonjour Sophie ! Alors comme vous êtes française, je vous réponds en français 🙂
      Pour les travaux de 1991, j’ai trouvé plusieurs sources :
      http://www.reinventerlaseine.fr/fr/sites/1286-culee-droite-pont-alexandre-iii-75.html et
      http://blogpontsdeparis.blogspot.com/2011_06_01_archive.html?view=classic
      Le pont a également fait l’objet de restaurations en 1998 en vue de son centenaire.
      J’espère que ces infos vous seront utiles ! 🙂

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