Top 5 Famous Bridges to Put on Your Paris Itinerary

Known across the globe as the City of Love and City of Light, Paris is also a city of bridges. Winding its way through the heart of the French capital, 37 bridges cross the river, connecting the Left and Right Banks. Their immense cultural value is evidenced in their status, along with the river and its banks, as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Anyone visiting the city will want to take in at least a few of these iconic landmarks, and here are five you should start with.

Dating back over 400 years, Paris's oldest bridge bears a testament to the steady passage of time in its name, Pont Neuf, which means "new bridge". With its 12 Romanesque arches, this stone bridge brings a sense of antiquity to the city. The cornices along the bridge bear 381 unique mascarons, grotesque ornamental stone faces intended to scare away bad spirits. Poised on the western end of the Île de la Cité, the opposite end to Notre Dame cathedral, the Pont Neuf connects a public park to the Right and Left banks. At the bridge's centre, overlooking the park, stands an equestrian statue of King Henry IV.

A river cruise may be the best way to take in this landmark span, but you'll want to save time for a stroll across as well. Large curved stone benches built into the bridge provide resting areas and inviting vantage points for soaking up the river views. You'll see how this piece of history has inspired artists from Renoir to the duo Christo and Jeanne-Claude.

In the movies: In addition to numerous French films, you can spot the Pont Neuf in many well-known Hollywood productions, including The Bourne Identity, Before Sunset and Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris.

Completed in 1606 under the reign of Henri IV, the bridge was commissioned nearly 30 years earlier by his father, (and planning actually began under Henri II). The original designs had to be reworked twice, and civil unrest during Henri III's reign also delayed construction. Though the bridge was built to support houses, as many in that period did, Henri IV vetoed the plan in order to preserve the views from his palace. The bridge has undergone repairs and renovations multiple times to preserve its beauty and functionality.

Outstanding views: Downtown Paris including the Louvre (the palace during the bridge's construction), the Conciergerie, and the Seine including the Pont des Arts and Pont au Change.

Commissioned by Napoleon III, the Pont de l'Alma finished construction in 1856. When completed, the bridge bore four statues of different soldiers, but after reconstruction in the 1970s, only one remains, The Zouave. The arch roadway bridge originally commemorated a victory by France and its allies in the Crimean War, but modern travellers frequently associate it with the passing of Diana, Princess of Wales. The fatal car crash that claimed her life occurred in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel.

Outstanding views: Eiffel Tower, the Seine.

Touted as one of the best bridges for views of the Eiffel Tower, Pont de l’Alma spans the Seine less than a kilometre from "the Iron Lady". The bridge runs from the Paris Sewer Museum to the Place de l’Alma (or Place Diana), where you’ll find the Liberty Flame, an exact replica of the flame held by the Statue of Liberty and an unofficial monument to Princess Diana. You’ll also find some high-end dining on this side of the river, including the famous brasserie Chez Francis. One of the best ways to visit this bridge and the surrounding area is a Segway tour, which you can book with Wheels and Ways.

In the movies: The Pont de l’Alma appears in the 1950s French noir classic 125, rue Montmartre, and its tunnel appears in Kiss of the Dragon, starring Jet Li, and briefly in the Helen Mirren-led The Queen.

Running between the Hôtel des Invalides on the Left Bank and the Grand and Petit Palais on the Right, the beautiful Pont Alexandre III exhibits a feast of gorgeous detail. Designed in elaborate Beaux Arts style, the bridge bears 32 ornate art nouveau glass-globed lampposts, statues of lions and cherubs, and reliefs of nymphs at the centre of its arches. Four gilt-bronze statues of Pegasus and goddesses representing four cornerstones of society overlook the bridge. Viewed at twilight, the bridge fosters a magical, romantic air with its lit lamps and the falling light glinting off the statuary.

Outstanding views: Eiffel Tower, Grand Palais, Petit Palais, Les Invalides.

A symbol of Franco-Russian alliance, this splendid deck arch bridge takes its name from Tsar Alexander III, and Nicholas II, his son, laid the first stone in a ceremony in 1896. The bridge was inaugurated during the 1900 Paris Exposition (World's Fair).

In the movies: This charming bridge has long been favoured by cinema makers, appearing in beloved films from 1956’s Anastasia to 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

A beloved stop for photographers, the Pont de Bir Hakeim features a stunning backdrop of the Eiffel Tower. Picturesque metal colonnades and hanging art deco streetlights line the lower level, which serves pedestrians and vehicles. On the level above runs line 6 of the Metro. Completed in 1905, this modern steel arch bridge crosses the Seine and the Île aux Cygnes in the Passy district, and near the Champ de Mars public green and the Eiffel Tower. You can find nearby four-star accommodation at Hôtel Mercure Paris Centre Tour Eiffel.

Outstanding views: the Seine River and Eiffel Tower.

Iron sculptures personifying Science, Labour, Electricity and Commerce decorate the lower portion of the bridge, while a dynamic equestrian statue, La France Renaissante (France Reborn), stands on the midpoint lookout. On the island, a smaller replica of the Statue of Liberty faces west toward her American sister. The best way to see the bridge is on a river cruise, followed by a stroll across, during which you can read the series of memorial plaques. These honour the victims of tragedies in French history, such as French soldiers who died in Belgium during World War II.

In the movies: The bridge’s most notable film appearances include the controversial classic Last Tango in Paris and Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster Inception.

Also known as the Passerelle des Arts, the Pont des Arts dates back to the days of Napoleon Bonaparte. Rebuilt in the 1980s to retain the original aesthetic, this pedestrian bridge connects the Institut de France and the Louvre. The walkway became famous for the padlocks inscribed with the names of lovers which couples would attach to the side, throwing the key into the river. The number of locks soared into the hundreds of thousands, and the weight began to undermine the structural integrity of the bridge.

In the movies: Notable film appearances include Sabrina (1995) and the heist caper Now You See Me.

"Love locks" are now considered vandalism in Paris, and in 2015, the sides of the bridge were replaced with transparent panelling, giving the bridge a contemporary vibe. Prior to being a symbol of love, the Pont des Arts served as an artists’ haunt (hence the name), and while it is now a lock-free zone, it sometimes hosts art exhibitions and open art studios. It’s also a great place for a summer picnic.

Outstanding views: the Seine, the back of the Louvre, Institut de France.

Check out these beautiful bridges while you cross Paris. Each one takes you not only from one historical spot to another, but also on a journey of your own. As you walk, boat or Segway through the city, make sure to book a quality hotel where you can rest comfortably for your next adventure.