Remember that the Queen once nearly drowned here. Standing here at the Pont de Courbevoie one can only imagine the tales it could tell. This bridge stretches 370 meters. It links Courbevoie to Neuilly-sur-Seine. Both are in the Hauts-de-Seine department.
Let me tell you about this important bridge. The Pont de Courbevoie we see today isn’t the first. It is a testament to overcoming challenges. The current bridge was built in 1971. It replaced a metallic bridge from 1924. Eugène Mayer conceived it. Georges Bouchet engineered it.
But the story goes back further. In 1606, Queen Marie de Médicis almost drowned. The ferry linking Neuilly to Courbevoie nearly cost her life. King Henri IV was also involved. Jean Héroard recorded the event. He was the Dauphin’s doctor.
The carriage fell into the water. The King was inside trying to sleep. Monsieur de Monpensier jumped out first. He rescued the King. Another man saved the Queen by pulling her hair. The King joked about it curing his toothache.
Understandably shaken the Queen urged the King to build a bridge. Christophe Marie got the job. He was the general contractor of bridges in France. Sully tasked him with the project. Rémy Basset built the wooden structure in 1609. It cost 42.000 livres.
The first Pont de Courbevoie had 16 closely spaced arches. This design bothered boatmen. It hindered river traffic. Land routes were difficult then. Transporting goods was very hard.
In 1639, Louis XIII ordered a rebuild. Guillaume Andrieux improved navigation. He built a new bridge for 45.000 livres. This second Pont de Courbevoie had 14 arches. It stood in the same location. This aligned with Rue de Neuilly and Rue de Courbevoie.
But ice damaged the bridge in 1766. Repairs took three weeks. Traffic between Courbevoie and Neuilly stopped. Louis XV then asked Perronet for plans. He wanted a higher stone bridge.
Today, the Pont de Courbevoie handles much traffic. A 2006 count showed 42.208 vehicles daily. The bridge connects major roads. It links the Quai du Président-Paul-Doumer and the Quai du Maréchal-Joffre.
So, as you cross the Pont de Courbevoie remember its past. Envision the carriages and the near-drowning. Appreciate the modern structure that stands here today. The Pont de Courbevoie is more than just a bridge. It is a link to history. It is a vital part of Courbevoie.