Pont de Neuville

Across the glistening Seine, the Pont de Neuville stands as a testament to time and change. The current Pont de Neuville isn’t the first to grace this spot. Imagine, in 1606, King Henry IV and his wife, Marie de Médicis, plunged into the Seine when their carriage fell from the ferry crossing here. This dramatic incident spurred the construction of the first bridge, a wooden structure named Pont Henri. This “new” bridge gave the area its name, Neuilly, meaning “New Island”. The Pont Henri, however, proved no match for the powerful Seine. A flood in 1638 destroyed it, leading to a rebuilt version with fourteen arches. This second Pont Henri also met its end, making way for a more permanent structure. In 1772, a grand five-arched stone bridge designed by Jean-Rodolphe Perronet, founder of the École des ponts et chaussées, opened. This bridge stood for over a century, witnessing historical events like the Paris Commune in 1871. Eventually, the increasing traffic demanded a more robust structure. The stone bridge was demolished between 1935 and 1942. In its place rose the current metal Pont de Neuville. This bridge, designed by Louis-Alexandre Lévy, played a role in the tumultuous events of 1944 and 1961. The Pont de Neuville we see today underwent a final transformation in the late 20th century. To accommodate the extension of Metro Line 1, the bridge was widened, creating the modern structure that connects Neuilly-sur-Seine to Courbevoie and Puteaux. So, as you stand before the Pont de Neuville, remember that you’re standing on a site steeped in history. Each bridge has mirrored the evolving needs and challenges of its time. From a royal mishap to a modern metro line, the Pont de Neuville continues to link not only two banks of the Seine but also centuries of Parisian life.