Pont Neuf | bridge, Paris, France | Britannica.com Pont Neuf Tuileries Palace Pont Neuf, oldest existing bridge across the Seine River via the Île de la Cité in Paris , built, with interruptions in the work, from 1578 to 1607. It was designed by Baptiste Du Cerceau and Pierre des Illes, who may have made use of an earlier design by Guillaume Marchand. Pont Neuf over the Seine River, Paris. David Monniaux For centuries the Pont Neuf, filled with shops and traffic, was the centre of Paris life. Its “long arm” consisted of seven arches from the right bank of the Seine to the western end of the Île de la Cité; its “short arm” comprised five arches from the island to the left bank. The bridge’s foundations were completely rebuilt under Napoleon III , together with the arches of the long arm, which were made elliptical. At the same time, the shops were removed from the roadway. Learn More in these related articles: in Paris (national capital, France): Île de la Cité ...10 streets long and 5 wide.

Eight bridges link it to the riverbanks, and a ninth leads to the Île Saint-Louis, the smaller island that lies to the southeast. The westernmost bridge is the Pont Neuf (New Bridge), which was built from 1578 to 1604. Despite its name, it is the oldest of the Paris bridges (others predate it but have been rebuilt). Its sturdiness has become axiomatic:... in Henry IV style Earlier, in 1599, Henry had given orders that the construction of the Pont Neuf should be recommenced but simplified the original plans by discarding the triumphal arches and rows of little houses that had been projected. The Pont Neuf joins the right and left banks of the Seine and crosses the triangular tip of the Ile de la Cité. At this juncture he planned the Place Dauphine (begun... 2 References found in Britannica Articles Assorted References Henry IV style (in Henry IV style ) Article History Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. MEDIA FOR: You have successfully emailed this. Error when sending the email. Try again later.

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Close Date Published: July 14, 2008 URL: Access Date: January 01, 2017 Share Pont Neuf in Paris, | Expedia Pont Neuf Pont Neuf, current page Previous image, 14 total items. Next image, 14 total items. Pont Neuf Take a stroll across this attractive white stone bridge, the oldest bridge in Paris. Visit Pont Neuf, one of the most famous and most beautiful bridges in Paris. A symbol of the city for more than four centuries, the bridge draws a steady crowd of sightseeing tourists and strolling locals. Pont Neuf is French for “new bridge,” but this structure is quite old. Construction began in 1578 under the order of King Henry III, but it wasn’t inaugurated until 1607 during the reign of Henry IV. Spanning 761 feet (232 meters) with a width of 72 feet (22 meters), it was the first bridge in Paris to be built with pavements. For the best views of Pont Neuf, head to the Ponte des Arts footbridge near the Louvre, famous for the love locks shackled to its rails.

From here, see the 12-arch Pont Neuf in all its glory. Notice the two separate spans: one joining the left bank to the island of Île de la Cité and the other connecting the island to the right bank of the Seine. Note how the arches are decorated with numerous carvings of grotesque figures and gargoyles. Some say these figures represent the river gods, while others suggest they are humorous depictions of the common people who were frequently seen loitering on the bridge. The gargoyles are best seen from below while passing under the arches; take a boat cruise along the Seine to view them up close. Stroll across the bridge and enjoy sweeping views toward the Louvre and Tuileries palaces, as well as the old La Samaritaine department store. When you reach the point where the bridge meets Île de la Cité, look for an equestrian bronze statue of Henry IV. This is a replica of an earlier sculpture, which was knocked down during the French Revolution. Stop for a rest or a picnic in the small park at the center, which is known as Square du Vert-Galant.

The Pont Neuf spans the River Seine in the center of Paris, leading on to Île de la Cité, where Notre Dame Cathedral stands. The nearest metro station is Pont Neuf on the right bank. Explore More of Paris Pont Neuf - Pont Neuf Bridge in Paris Pont Neuf Visit Paris Share Pont Neuf means New Bridge, which it was back in 1607 when it was inaugurated by King Henry IV. Today, the Pont Neuf Bridge in Paris is the oldest bridge spanning the River Seine in the city. It crosses the western tip of Ile de la Cite , one of two natural islands in the river within the city, and home of the magnificent Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral . It connects the Rive Gauche (Left Bank) with Rive Droit (Right Bank) in the heart of the oldest part of the city. Pont Neuf The history of Pont Neuf is central to the history of the city. The need for a Pont Neuf Bridge in Paris was recognized as early as 1550 when traffic became too heavy for the Pont Notre Dame. The decision to actually build it wasn't made until 1577 when there were sufficient funds for the construction.

King Henry III laid its first stone in 1588, and it was completed by his son in 1607. An equestrian statue of the monarch stands at the place where the bridge crosses the Ile de la Cite. If you decide to explore Pont Neuf on a boat, tour this is where the majority of the sightseeing cruises dock. A history of Pont Neuf is not complete without a discussion of both commerce and crime. Even before the bridge was completed, brigands and thieves hung out near it, waylaying travelers as they passed by. There was even a Pont Neuf gallows to dispatch the worst of them. In the eighteenth century, it drew street performers, pickpockets, charlatans, and prostitutes and their clientele. But more legitimate businesses also sprung up: tooth pullers and French poodle groomers, vendors of all sorts of goods, silversmiths, and rug sellers. Even the artists of the time would sell their canvases here. Today, you can actually view some of these paintings in the city's museums , including the Louvre , which is within walking distance.

Artists were allowed to display their work only until noon, at which time they moved to the emerging Montmartre neighborhood. Paris Map The history of Pont Neuf as a center of Parisian culture began to decline in the mid-1700s, when the Champs Elysees and the other broad boulevards for which Paris is famous became passé. Most of the introductory panoramic Paris tours include the Pont Neuf on their itineraries, and any visitor who embarks on Seine River cruises will undoubtedly at least pass by it. It is truly a lovely sight from the water; a magnificent sight at night, with the cityscape dramatically illuminated around it. The Pont Neuf Bridge in Paris is built of stone and comprised of two spans. The one from the left bank to the Ile de la Cite contains five arches; the one from the right back to the island has seven arches. Before the bridge was built, all Paris bridges also supported houses, but not this one. Henry IV decided not to allow houses so there would be an unobstructed view of the Louvre.

And this bridge was the first to have pedestrian walkways with protections built in, so strollers were not run down by carriages or splashed with mud. Hotels Pont Neuf - Bridge in Paris - Thousand Wonders Wikipedia | Google | Google Images | Flickr In contrary to what its name may suggest, Pont Neuf, ‘New Bridge’ in English, is the oldest bridge spanning the River Seine in Paris . Officially opened in 1607, the name was given at the time to separate it from other bridges across the river. The older bridges were typically lined with houses on both sides. Pont Neuf is located at the western tip of the Île de la Cité, a famous island in the middle of the river, and in the heart of the city, that used to be the center of medieval Paris. Pont Neuf is, together with Pont Alexandre III, the most famous bridge in Paris and definitely one of the most beautiful. History In the middle of the 16th century, two bridges crossed the River Seine. They were, however, overcrowded and King Henry II was asked to build a new bridge. He decided against it because of financial reasons.

Several years later, in 1577, King Henry III finally did make the decision to construct a new bridge. He laid the founding stone in 1578; the foundations and one abutment were completed later that year. A design change in 1579 required the bridge to be widened so that houses could be built. Between 1588 and 1599, construction was halted due to the Wars of Religion. The bridge was finally finished and inaugurated by King Henry IV in 1607. He also named the bridge Pont Neuf. The bridge was built as a series of short arches, a typical style of that period in time. Pont Neuf was Paris’ first stone bridge across the River Seine without any buildings. It was a major thoroughfare and had paved pedestrian sidewalks. It was Henry IV who made sure that there weren't any buildings on the bridge for they would block the view of The Louvre . The Louvre was his palace and a building that he expanded greatly during his reign. A large equestrian statue of King Henry IV stands at the point where Pont Neuf crosses the Île de la Cité.

It was erected in 1618 after the king’s death and is still one of the landmarks of the bridge. The statue was destroyed during the French Revolution, but replaced with a replica in 1818. In the 18th century, the Pont Neuf had become the center of life in Paris. It was both a hub for commerce and crime. In the 1840s, the equestrian statue of King Henry IV on Pont Neuf was the subject of one of the very first photographs ever taken. Architecture Pont Neuf is 761-feet-long and 72-feet-wide and was a modern bridge at the time of construction. It had several new innovations, such as pavements, bastions, and the lack of houses. The bridge consists of two different bridge spans, one on every side of the Île de la Cité. The Place de Pont Neuf on the island is where the two spans are connected. Pont Neuf has twelve arches; seven arches connect the island to the right bank, while five arches extend between the left bank and the island.

Visiting Pont Neuf The Pont Neuf isn't the lively place it used to be anymore, though it still is a major landmark in Paris. The tip of Île de la Cité, where the bridge crosses the island, is now the location of the Square du Vert-Galant, ‘Square of the Green Galant’, which was the nickname of King Henry IV. The stone-face embankments offer magnificent views of the River Seine, other bridges and the grand buildings that line the river. Located on the island where Paris originated, there are several historic sites within close proximity. Other highlights are the Sainte-Chapelle , Place Dauphine ; the Conciergerie which is the oldest palace of the Kings of France , the island itself; and Notre-Dame de Paris . A fun thing to do is just walking around the island across the bridge. Additionally, you could also go on a river cruise to see everything from a different perspective. How to Get There The Pont Neuf is easily accessed by subway. The nearest subways stations are Cité on the M4 line and Pont Neuf on the M7 line.

The bridge lies in the heart of the city and if you’re already there, it can be reached by walking along the River Seine and past many other landmark buildings. Similar and Nearby Landmarks Famous bridges across the world include the Charles Bridge , Stari Most ; the Brooklyn Bridge , the Golden Gate Bridge ; the Tower Bridge , and the Sydney Harbour Bridge . Do you see any omissions, errors or want to add information to this page? Sign up . Author: bramreusen. Last updated: Dec 22, 2014 Pictures of Pont Neuf Seine Islands Walk More informations about WalkGeneration services Welcome to The Seine Islands Walk on the Île de la Cité and the Île Saint Louis. Our walk begins at the Pont Neuf metro station on metro line 7. Exit the metro station and walk onto the Pont Neuf bridge or New Bridge that crosses the Seine river. Details 1. Pont Neuf Pont Neuf. The Pont Neuf, or New Bridge, marked a departure from Medieval bridge construction. For the first time Parisians could enjoy the view of a bridge on the Seine, up until then all bridge views were obscured by houses and shops which crowded bridges in Paris.

Building began in 1578 by King Henri III, but political troubles delayed the opening of the bridge until 1603 under Henri IV. The resulting structure spans the Seine river between the 1st quarter on the right bank, the westernmost point of the ï¿½le de la Citï¿½, and the 6th quarter on the left bank, and provides a key crossing point. Seven semi-circular arches support the bridge on the main branch of the Seine and five on the small branch. The next stop on the Seine Islands Walk is the statue of Henri IV. Walk along the Pont Neuf bridge towards the Île de la Cité. Once you're on the island stop in front of the statue of a man sitting on a horse. 2. Statue of Henri IV Place du Pont Neuf. King Henry IV famously renounced Protestantism in 1593 saying, 'Paris is well worth a mass'. Despite his conversion poor King Henry was assasinated by a Catholic fanatic in 1610. Henry IV was compassionate, good humored, much loved by his people, and quite the womanizer.

His dalliances earned him the nickname, Le Vert Galant, or the Green Galant. Paris erected a statue to good King Henry on the ï¿½le de la Citï¿½ in 1614, but it was ravaged by revolutionaries and had to be replaced with the current statue. The walk continues at the Square du Vert-Galant. Walk down the steps behind the statue of Henry IV to the Square du Vert-Galant. 3. Vert-Galant Square Place du Pont Neuf. When the Parisii established Lutï¿½ce around 52 B.C., the city was most likely constructed at the level of the Square Vert-Galant, not at the current street level of the ï¿½le de la Citï¿½. The ï¿½le de la Citï¿½ actually was separated into three different islands: the ï¿½le des Passeurs de Vï¿½ches, the ï¿½le de la Gourdaine and the ï¿½le aux Juifs, where the garden of the Square du Vert-Galant is located.

These three were united to form the current ï¿½le de la Citï¿½ in 1607. You'll have a great view of the city from the tip of this quiet oasis: the Institut de France on the left, the Louvre on the right, the Pont des Arts in the foreground, and the glass roof of the Grand Palais in the distance on the right. The walk continues at the Vedettes de Pont Neuf flyboats. Walk back towards the stairs. 4. Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf flyboats Square du Vert-Galant. This is one of several companies in Paris which offers cruises along the Seine river on 'bateaux mouches' or flyboats. The tour lasts one hour and a guide will tell you about the many landmarks which are visible from the boat: Nï¿½tre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, etc. Taking such a cruise is a good way to get your bearings in Paris, while seeing many of the sights. The dock also has a cafï¿½/bar for refreshments. The next stop on the Seine Islands Walk is the Place Dauphine.

Walk up the stairs, cross the street, and take rue H. Robert in between the two apartment buildings directly in front of you, notable for their brick and white stone façade and arcades. 5. Place Dauphine Place Dauphine. The construction of this triangular place on the ï¿½le de la Citï¿½ was part of Henry IV's urban development efforts which began in 1607, and also included the Place des Vosges. This square was named in honor of Henry IV's son, le dauphin, the future King Louis XIII. The walk continues at the Palais de la Justice. Walk through the Place Dauphine to the imposing Palais de la Justice on the east end of the square. 6. Palais de la Justice 2, rue de Harley. If architecture is language, then the columned faï¿½ade of the Palais de la Justice exudes royal power and impending judgement. The eagles crowning the building recall Napoleon, whose Napoleonic code still shapes French civil law today.

The Palais de la Justice existed long before Napoleon's time, as it was the residence and the seat of the kings of France from the 10th to 14th centuries. Today the Palais still houses the highest French courts, la Cour de Cassation and the Cour d'appel. The walk continues at the Tour de l'Horloge. Walk north towards the Seine, turn right onto Quai de l'Horloge, and at the corner of Quai de l'Horloge and boulevard du Palais and look up to see the clock. 7. Tour de l'Horloge and the Palais de la Justice boulevard du Palais. A walk along the Quai de l'Horloge, will give you a better appreciation of the size of the massive Palais. Just think, 24 kilometers of corridors and 7,000 doors, through which pass on average 15,000 people per day, tourists included. As you walk you may see people looking out of one of the 3,150 windows!

The medieval clock tower on the corner of Quai de l'Horloge and boulevard du Palais displays the first public clock in Paris. It was built in 1370, by the order of Charles V. The next stop on the Seine Islands walk is the Conciergerie. Continue on down the boulevard du Palais to number 2. 8. The Conciergerie 2, boulevard du Palais. Does all the power and glory of Philippe the Fair's reign in the early 14th century emanate from this building? Charles V transferred the seat of the French royalty to the Louvre. He left the building in the care of the a Concierge. Today the magnificient medieval vaulted Hall of the Men-at-Arms in the Conciergerie contrasts with reconstructed prison cells of the French Revolution. By 1793 the Conciergerie was the main jail and detention center for enemies of the French Revolution, even Marie Antoinette was incarcerated here before losing her head. As you visit Marie Antoinette's cell, imagine her waiting to be taken to the guillotine on the Place de la Concorde. The walk continues at the Sainte Chapelle.

Continue down boulevard du Palais and glance at the monumental stairs, façade, and wrought iron gates of the Cour de Mai as you pass by. The entrance to the Sainte Chapelle is a little further on your right. 9. The Sainte Chapelle 6, boulevard du Palais. Truly the place of worship of kings, the Sainte Chapelle is arguably the most glorious example of Gothic architecture in existence. Built in just two years (1246-1248) for Louis IX, known as Saint Louis, it housed important Christian relics and stood in the courtyard of the royal palace. The lower chapel was built for the palace servants and is simply decorated in blue and red painted stone and fleur-de-lys. Brace yourself for a shock as you climb the narrow steps to the upper chapel. Bask in the light, grace, balance, and weightlessness of the 15 stained glass windows which have dissolved the walls with a little help from flying buttresses on the exterior walls. The probable architect was Pierre de Montreuil and the chapel was completely restored by Viollet-Le-Duc in the 19th century. The walk continues at the Flower and Bird market.

When you exit the Sainte Chapelle, take rue de Lutèce across from the Sainte Chappelle exit until you reach place Louis Lépine. You're headed for the Flower and Bird markets, which are housed in long green bunker-like buildings. 10. Flower and Bird Market on the Ile de la Citï¿½ place Louis Lï¿½pine. The ï¿½le de la Citï¿½ is home to the biggest and best flower market in Paris every day except Sunday, when the bird market takes over Place Louis Lï¿½pine. A stone's throw from the Notre-Dame Cathedral flowers unfurl their petals throughout the square alongside bonsais, potted houseplants, palm trees, seeds, books, tools, and fertilizer. Wander among the roses, hydrangeas, freesias, orchids, and let their fresh fragrances tickle your nose. The flower market is a great place to buy a bouquet to brighten a rented apartment or hotel room. The next stop on the Seine Islands walk is the Hôtel Dieu hospital.

From the flower market take a right onto rue de la Cité, a road that dates from Roman times, and then a left onto the Parvis de Notre Dame/place Jean Paul II. You should already see tourists teeming on the square in front of Notre-Dame, but duck into the garden of the Hôtel Dieu hospital on your left before facing the crowds. 11. Hï¿½tel Dieu hospital and courtyard 1, Parvis Notre-Dame Place Jean Paul II. Would you like to be treated at a hospital founded in the 7th century? Walk through the front doors of the Hï¿½tel Dieu and enter the garden, a funny-looking neo-Florentine quadrangle. The Hï¿½tel Dieu was, as you may have guessed, Paris's first hospital. The church managed the hospital until the 17th century, and the hospital relied on the nearby Seine for water for cooking and cleaning. After a fire in 1772, authorities hastened to improve poor sanitary conditions in the hospital.

Following Louis Pasteur's work on the spread of microorganisms causing disease in the early 1860s, doctors at the Hï¿½tel Dieu began sterilizing medical instruments and isolating contagious patients. The walk continues at the Archaeological Crypt of Notre-Dame. Exit the hospital and walk straight across the street towards the crypt, slightly to your right. Remember as you go that the Parisii from which Paris got its name walked the same ground as early as the 2nd century B.C. 12. Archaeological Crypt under the Parvis Notre-Dame 7, Parvis Notre-Dame Place Jean Paul II. As you cross the Parvis de Notre-Dame, under you lie elements from the successive buildings constructed on the site from Ancient times to the 19th century: the docks of the port of Lutetia, public Gallo-Roman baths, underground remains of the chapel of the Hï¿½tel Dieu, medieval remains of the rue Neuve Notre-Dame. Centuries of urban planning laid out for the eye to see. The walk continues at the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Continue walking towards Notre-Dame Cathedral. 13.

Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral Parvis Notre-Dame. Jewel of Gothic architecture and medieval craftsmanship, Notre-Dame Cathedral with its flying buttresses, rose windows, spire, and soaring towers is one of Paris's most well-known symboles. Building on a new cathedral under Maurice de Sully, bishop of Paris, began in 1163 and construction took over 200 years and cut through a maze of alleys, closely-built wooden houses, and seventeen chapels. A city within the city of Paris continued thriving around the cathedral, the Hï¿½tel Dieu hospital, the cathedral school and a choir school. Many historical events took place here: the future King Henry IV wed Marguerite de Valois in 1572, Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804, and a funeral for Charles de Gaulle was held here in 1970. Do go in and have a look. The next stop on the Seine Islands walk is the towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Turn right out of the cathedral and take an immediate right onto rue du cloître Notre-Dame. The entrance is on the side of the cathedral. 14.

The Towers of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral rue du cloï¿½tre Notre-Dame. Are you a fan of gargoyles? A visit of the towers goes through the upper parts of the 13th century western faï¿½ade and past 102 gargoyles in the Galerie des Chimï¿½res. The stunning views of Paris along are worth the 387 stairs you'll climb. The walk continues in medieval Paris - rue Massillon. Continue along rue du cloître Notre-Dame and turn left onto rue Massillon. 15. Medieval Paris - rue Massillon rue Massillon. You are entering the oldest part of the ï¿½le de la Citï¿½. The rue Massillon showcases a few old homes. Number 8 is the 18th century Hï¿½tel Roger-de-Gaillon, home to the cathedral choir school. The walk continues with ghastly medieval happenings on rue Chanoinesse.Turn left onto rue Chanoinesse and stroll up the street. 16. Medieval murders on rue Chanoinesse rue Chanoinesse.

This street was one of the main arteries of the Notre-Dame cloister founded in 911. Originally a housing area exclusively reserved for the Chanoines, members of the clergy, it was an area free from taxes and the arm of royal law. Outsiders, especially women, were forbidden to enter, though many a nobleman found lodging here in the 15th century. Legend tells of a conspiracy here between a barber and a baker with neighboring businesses during the Middle Ages. The baker was well known for his excellent pastries and from time to time the barber killed a client, and dumped the body through a trapdoor into the basement he shared with his neighbor, the baker. The baker then confectioned the most succulent pastries. This went on until the barber killed a man accompanied by a dog, whose incessant mournful howling alerted the authorities. Tim Burton's recent film 'Sweeney Todd' is reminiscent of this story...As you walk up the street, steer clear of barber shops, bakeries, and maybe the police? The next stop on the Seine Islands walk is Au Bougnat Bistro at number 26, rue Chanoinesse. 17.

Au Bougnat Bistro 26, rue Chanoinesse. Relaxed French cuisine and a good price/quality ratio for the otherwise expensive and touristy part of the ï¿½le de la Citï¿½. Au Bougnat is open every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and everything in between. Polish your French reading skills over coffee and croissants while leafing through a communal copy of L'Equipe or Le Parisien from the bar. At lunchtime you'll find Burgundy beef, warm goat cheese salad, and the ubiquitous steak/frites, all to be washed down with wine from many different regions of France. Many, many wines are available by the glass. The next stop on the Seine Islands walk is City limits of Roman Lutèce. Continue along the rue Chanoinesse and turn right onto rue de la Colombe. 18. City limits of Roman Lutï¿½ce 6, rue de la Colombe. An inscription on the wall past number 6 rue de la Colombe indicates that this was the city limits of Lutï¿½ce, the Roman city first mentioned by Julius Caesar in 52 B.C.

The wall dates from the 3rd century A.D., when inhabitants sought greater security and protection of the ï¿½le de la Citï¿½. Can you see the stones of the Roman wall? Hint, the Roman wall once stood where a at the intersection of two sections of cobblestones on the rue de la Colombe. The walk continues at the residence of Jean Racine. Turn right onto rue d'Ursins and walk to number 7. 19. Former residence of Jean Racine, French playwright 7, rue d'Ursins. The rue d'Ursins dates from the 14th century and still boasts many old homes and medieval details. Enjoy the view of the Hï¿½tel de Ville across the Seine on your left. Jean Racine, a 17th century French playwright and poet known for his tragedies, lived at number 7. The walk continues in the Square Jean XXIII. Continue down the rue d'Ursins and take a right on rue des Chantres, walk down the street and turn left onto rue Chanoinesse. Enter the Square Jean XXIII at the end of the street. 20.

Jean XXIII square 4, place du Parvis Notre-Dame. As you enter the garden from the north, remember that this area was part of the cloister of Notre-Dame (est. 911 A.D.). The last medieval homes were removed in the 1840s to make room for the garden, whose excellent views of the cathedral's flying buttresses, rose window, and sculptures are unparalleled. Named after Pope Jean XXIII, the square is a great place to relax in the summer weather with lots of shaded benches and lovely flowers. The next stop on the Seine Islands walk is the Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation. Cross the street behind the garden, part of the Pont de l'Archevevêché, and head to the Holocaust memorial, located in the Square de l' Île de France, on the tip of the Île de la Cité. 21. Memorial of the martyrs of the deportation Square de l' ï¿½le de France. Descend the stairs to a sunken courtyard which leads to a crypt.

Here stands a memorial to the more than 76,000 Jews who were sent to Nazi camps from France during World War II. Multitudes of candles inside the crypt provide a a chilling reminder of the people deported and the lives extinguished by the Nazis during this dark period of recent history. The walk continues at the Berthillon Ice cream shop on the île Saint Louis. Turn right out of the memorial park and cross the short Pont Saint Louis. Take rue Saint Louis en l'Île, which will be straight in front of you and slightly to your left as you leave the bridge. Berthillon is located at 31, rue Saint Louis en l'île. 22. Berthillon Ice Cream parlour 26, rue Saint Louis en l'ï¿½le. Most of the ï¿½le Saint Louis was developed thanks to Henry IV, who was most unfortunately murdered before fulfilling his dream of creating a 'beau quartier' here. Royal architect Louis Le Vau helped achieve this goal by transforming the island between 1612-1670.

Le Vau left architectural footprints in many places on the ï¿½le Saint Louis as you'll see, and the fine architectural features of this 'beau quartier' are enjoyed by the general public.He also designed the magnificent Vaux-le-Vicomte castle, and parts of Versailles and the Louvre. The city of Paris has helped preserve the dream of a 'beau quartier'by not putting any metro stations on the island, and walking down rue Saint Louis en l'ï¿½le is somewhat like walking down main street. Continue on and enjoy this French ice cream and sorbet institution. Raymond Berthillon carefully selects the ingredients for Berthillon's ice cream: vanilla from Madagascar, chocolat from the Ivory Coast, and the freshest fruits. These ingredients are mixed with a daily delivery of milk to provide 69 flavors of homemade ice cream and sorbet. You can relax in the salon de thï¿½ and pay a premium price for the space, ice cream concoction and shade, or you can wait in line outside and get your ice cream to go. Both options have advantages, but whatever your budget, don't miss out on this oh so Parisian treat!

The walk continues at the Saint Louis en l' Île church. Continue onwards to 19 bis rue Saint Louis en l' Île. 23. St-Louis-en-l'Ile church 19, bis rue Saint Louis en l' ï¿½le. The royal architect Louis Le Vau designed this church, whose construction was completed in 1726. Note the iron clock at the entrance, dating from 1741 and the pierced iron spire. The interior is richly decorated in the Baroque style with lots of marble and gilding. Louis IX is the only King of France who was canonized, and many places bear his name, most notably Saint Louis, Missouri in the USA. The walk continues at the Pont Marie. Continue down rue Saint Louis en l' Île, turn left onto the rue Poulletier, and take the first right onto the Quai d'Anjou. 24. Pont Marie bridge and quai d'Anjou quai d'Anjou. Built by Christophe Marie between 1614-1635, it is one of Paris's oldest bridges.

Imagine the flood that carried away two of the bridge arches and twenty houses in 1658. Upon closer inspection, you'll see that the bridge arches are all different. The next stop on the Seine Islands walk is the Hôtel Lauzun. With the Pont Marie behind you, head to 17, quai d'Anjou. 25. Hï¿½tel de Lauzun 17, Quai d'Anjou. The Hï¿½tel Lauzun is perhaps the crown jewel of the hï¿½tels particuliers fon the ï¿½le Saint Louis rom the time of King Louis XIV. The ironwork on the balcony and gutters is lovely, and the intertwined initials of the original owner and his wife, GM, remain. The luxurious interior with its rich carved, painted, mirrored and gilded interior is stunning, as are the furniture and objets d'art from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Bravo,Monsieur Louis Le Vau!

Unfortunately this home isn't open to the general public, but you can reserve a spot on one of the bi-monthly tours by calling the Centre des Monuments Nationaux. If you're stuck outside, another interesting tidbit is that Charles Baudelaire and Theophile Gautier lived here for awhile in the 19th century. They and some others formed their Club de Haschichins where they documented their experiments with the drug. It was also in this house that Baudelaire wrote the first poems of Les Fleurs du Mal. The walk continues at the home of Honoré Daumier. Keep going to 9, Quai d'Anjou. 26. Former residence of Honorï¿½ Daumier, French caricaturist 9, Quai d'Anjou. Honorï¿½ Daumier, the great caricaturist, sculptor, painter, and printmaker lived in this house. He is perhaps best known for his political caricatures and sculptures as well as his satirical portrayal of his countrymen. His work can be viewed in many museums, among them the Musï¿½e d'Orsay and the Art Institute of Chicago.

The walk continues at the Syndicat de la Boulangerie. Walk to 7, Quai d'Anjou. 27. Baker's Union 7, Quai d'Anjou. Step inside the door inside the entryway and examine the decorative plates with scenes of bakers at work in the 18th from Denis Diderot's Encyclopï¿½die. History tells us that Napolï¿½on Bonaparte issued a decree in 1801 for the establishment of a union for bakers. Back then four elected bakers set the price for bread based on the price of flour. Today the Union supports and defends the interests of bakers in Paris and several surrounding suburbs. Oh yes, in France croissants and their makers have a union! The next stop on the Seine Islands walk is the Hôtel de Marigny. Go to 5, Quai d'Anjou. 28. Hï¿½tel de Marigny 5, Quai d'Anjou. This home dates from the golden age of building on the ï¿½le Saint Louis. It was completed in 1640.

The walk continues at the Hôtel Lambert at 2, Quai d'Anjou. 29. Hï¿½tel Lambert 1, Quai d'Anjou. Yet another splendid work from the architectural mind of Louis Le Vau, conceived for the financier Jean-Baptiste Lambert. The house's colorful history began in 1642, when Le Vau built himself a small house next door to his masterpiece. Voltaire lived here in 1742 with his lover and owner of the Hï¿½tel, the Marquise du Chï¿½telet. Bought by a powerful Polish family, the Czartoryskis, in 1843, the Hï¿½tel Lambert hosted the most notable artists of the time: Frï¿½dï¿½ric Chopin, Zygmunt Krasinski, Alphonse de Lamartine, George Sand, Honorï¿½ de Balzac, Hector Berlioz, Franz Liszt, Eugï¿½ne Delacroix and Adam Mickiewicz. Chopin's 'La Polonaise' was composed exclusively for the Polish ball held at the Hï¿½tel Lambert.

The Rothschild family owned the residence from 1975 to 2007, when it was purchased by an Arab prince of Qatar for the sum of 111 million dollars. The next stop on the Seine Islands walk is the ruins of the Bastille prison. Turn left off of the île Saint Louis and turn left onto the Pont de Sully. Cross the Seine river and continue to the Square Henri Galli on your left. 30. Bastille prison foundations Square Henri Galli. The stone ruins here are part of the round base of one of the eight towers of the Bastille prison. Revolutionaries stormed the Bastille in 1789 as an act of protest against rising inflation and King Louis XVI. The French Revolution had begun and Robespierre's bloody Reign of Terror soon followed. Sixty thousand enemies of the Revolution were executed without trial. This is the end of the Seine Islands Walk. The nearest metro is Sully-Morland on metro line 7. Turn left out of the square Henri Galli, et marchez jusqu'au métro sur le boulevard Henri IV.

Distance: 3km Pont Neuf, Paris | Kamal Bennani Photography Kamal Bennani Photography Trying to capture the beauty everywhere Menu by Kamal The Pont Neuf is the oldest standing bridge across the river Seine in Paris, France. Its name, which was given to distinguish it from older bridges that were lined on both sides with houses, has remained. It stands by the western point of the Île de la Cité, the island in the middle of the river that was the heart of medieval Paris. The bridge is composed of two separate spans, one of five arches joining the left bank to the Île de la Cité, another of seven joining the island to the right bank. Old engraved maps of Paris show how, when the bridge was built, it just grazed the downstream tip of the Île de la Cité; since then, the natural sandbar building of a mid-river island, aided by stone-faced embankments called quais, has extended the island. Today the tip of the island is the location of the Square du Vert-Galant, a park named in honour of Henry IV, nicknamed the “Green Gallant”.

As early as 1550, Henry II was asked to build a bridge here because the existing Pont Notre-Dame was overloaded, but the expense was too much at the time. In 1577, the decision to build the bridge was made by King Henry III who laid its first stone in 1578, during which year the foundations of four piers and one abutment were completed.[1] A major design change was made in 1579 requiring the widening of the bridge to allow houses to be built (though they never were); the piers on the long arm were made longer to accommodate this change. These piers were built over the next nine years.[1] After a long delay beginning in 1588, due in part to the Wars of Religion, construction was resumed in 1599.[1] The bridge was completed under the reign of Henry IV, who inaugurated it in 1607.

The Île de la Cité looking upstream from the West, with the Pont Neuf spanning the Seine The bastions give the Pont Neuf its fortified air Like most bridges of its time, The Pont Neuf is constructed as a series of many short arch bridges, following Roman precedents. It was the first stone bridge in Paris not to support houses in addition to a thoroughfare, and was also fitted with pavements protecting pedestrians from mud and horses; pedestrians could also step aside into its bastions to let a bulky carriage pass. The decision not to include houses on the bridge can be traced back directly to Henry IV, who decided against their inclusion on the grounds that houses would impede a clear view of the Louvre, which he extended substantially during his reign.[3] The bridge had heavy traffic from the beginning;[1] it was for a long time the widest bridge in Paris.

The bridge has undergone much repair and renovation work, including rebuilding of seven spans in the long arm and lowering of the roadway by changing the arches from an almost semi-circular to elliptical form (1848–1855), lowering of sidewalks and faces of the piers, spandrels, cornices and replacing crumbled corbels as closely to the originals as possible.[1] In 1885, one of the piers of the short arm was undermined, removing the two adjacent arches, requiring them to be rebuilt and all the foundations strengthened.[1] A major restoration of the Pont Neuf was begun in 1994 and was completed in 2007, the year of its 400th anniversary. (Source: Wikipedia)

Question: Built in 1607, Pont Neuf spans what river?
Answer: Seine