10 Bridges in Paris That Are Just as Fascinating as the Landmarks They Connect

Paris’s bridges (or ponts, in French) offer some of the best views in the city, from sweeping vistas over the Seine to unique angles of its most famous landmarks. The Seine River divides Paris almost perfectly in half, meaning you’ll cross plenty as you explore both banks. While there are 37 bridges in total, these ten stand out for their history, architecture, and unmistakable charm.

Pont Alexandre III

Pont Alexandre III is often called the most beautiful bridge in Paris thanks to its ornate Beaux-Arts design, with gilded statues of winged horses crowning its four pillars and Art Nouveau lampposts. Named after Tsar Alexandre III in honor of the Franco-Russian alliance, it was inaugurated during the 1900 Paris Exposition. The bridge connects the Grand and Petit Palais on the right bank with Les Invalides on the left bank.

Pont Neuf

Pont Neuf, which ironically means “New Bridge,” is actually the oldest bridge in Paris, completed in 1607. Spanning the western tip of Île de la Cité, it links both banks of the Seine with a series of twelve stone arches. Known for its 381 carved faces, or mascarons, and its beautiful river views, it remains one of the city’s most iconic walks.

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

The Pont de Bir-Hakeim features a rare two-level structure, where elegant metal columns and stone arches support Metro Line 6 above a lower level for cars and pedestrians. It’s both functional and beautiful, and, whether you’re riding the metro across (between the Passy and Bir-Hakeim stations) or a pedestrian on the bridge, you’ll be treated to incredible, close-up Eiffel Tower views.

Pont des Arts

The Pont des Arts, built in 1801 as Paris’s first iron bridge, connects the Louvre on the right bank with the Institut de France on the left. Once covered in hundreds of thousands of “love locks,” the bridge had to be restored after their weight began damaging the structure. Even without them, its open views over the Seine and the tip of Île de la Cité still make it one of the most romantic spots in Paris.

Passerelle Debilly

The Passerelle Debilly, a pedestrian bridge just upriver from the Eiffel Tower, offers one of the best close-up views of the landmark without the crowds. Its curving metallic arches almost resemble waves on the sea. The bridge links the Musée d’Art Moderne on the Right Bank with the Musée du Quai Branly on the Left.

Pont de Grenelle

Farther south along the Seine, near the edge of central Paris, the Pont de Grenelle offers a close-up view of the city’s Statue of Liberty, which stands on the narrow Île aux Cygnes island below. The statue was gifted to Paris by the American community in 1889 to celebrate the friendship between France and the United States. You can view it from the bridge or walk down to the island for a closer look.

Petit Pont Cardinal Lustiger

This short bridge connects the left bank of Paris to the southern edge of the Ile de la Cité island in one of the most iconic locations: right in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral. The bridge is named for the Catholic cardinal, Jean-Marie Lustiger, who was the Archbishop of Paris from 1981-2005.

Pont d’Iena

The Pont d’Iéna connects the Eiffel Tower to the Trocadéro across the Seine, offering one of the most striking perspectives of the monument. Since 2024, the bridge has been closed to most vehicles and turned into a pedestrian promenade, now recognizable for the Olympic rings that were installed during the Paris Games.

Pont au Change

The Pont au Change links the Île de la Cité to the Right Bank, beside the Conciergerie, a royal residence turned prison. Its name dates to the 12th century, when King Louis VII required moneylenders and goldsmiths to conduct their trade here. Rebuilt under Napoleon III during the mid-1800s, it still bears his carved “N” insignia along the stonework.

Passerelle Richerand

The last bridge on this list isn’t on the Seine but over the Canal Saint-Martin, which links the Seine to the Canal de l’Ourcq in the north. While much of the canal runs underground, the stretch just north of Place de la République is open-air and lined with leafy walkways and iron footbridges. The Passerelle Richerand is one of the prettiest footbridges here, offering peaceful views in both directions along the water.