pont

Why is the Pont Neuf the oldest standing bridge in Paris? Despite its name meaning “New Bridge” it’s actually the oldest. Construction began in 1578 under King Henri III. The first stone was laid on May 31st 1578. Mother Queen Catherine de Medici and Queen Louise of Lorraine were present. However the work was interrupted. Rebellions against the king delayed completion. It finally ended in 1607 under Henri IV. Henri IV commissioned Guillaume Marchant and François Petit to finish the project. They changed the original plans. Unlike other Parisian bridges the Pont Neuf was unique. It didn’t have houses built along it. This ensured unobstructed views of the Seine. The king also opened Place Dauphine a square near the bridge. This was one of Paris’s first royal squares. The Pont Neuf was the first bridge to span the entire width of the Seine. It also had pavements. This protected pedestrians from horses and mud. It was truly innovative for its time. The bridge attracted all sorts of people. Itinerant merchants charlatans and booksellers gathered there. In 1619 bookshops successfully lobbied for a ban on bookselling on the Pont Neuf. This ban was reaffirmed in 1742. The bridge’s design is also notable. Semi-circular alcoves were built into the bridge’s piers. Merchants and craftsmen used them. Booksellers even held public readings there with musical entertainment. They sold their books from trays attached to the parapets. They were the ancestors of today’s Parisian bouquinistes. Remarkably 381 mascarons grotesque masks decorate the bridge. These sculptures by Germain Pilon represent Greco-Roman divinities. They were believed to ward off evil spirits. The artists created almost entirely unique sculptures. The Pont Neuf was listed as a Monument Historique in 1889. In 1991 it became part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Banks of the Seine. The bridge underwent complete restoration in 2007. The Pont Neuf is 238 meters long and 20 50 meters wide. It has 12 arches seven on the Right Bank and five on the Left Bank. It is said that the 12 arches symbolized the 12 countries in the Eurozone at the introduction of the Euro in 2002. The Pont Neuf is truly special. It blends history architecture and Parisian culture. It stands as a testament to Parisian resilience and innovation. Stepping onto the Pont Neuf you step into centuries of Parisian history. You can almost hear the echoes of the past. Enjoy the experience.