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Origin and history

The Pont Neuf, despite its name, is the oldest bridge in Paris still standing. Its construction, decided in 1577 under Henry III, began in 1578 with the laying of the first stone by the king himself, in the presence of Catherine de Medici and Louise de Lorraine. The work, interrupted by the political turmoil of the League (1588-1598), resumed in 1599 under Henry IV and ended in 1607. This bridge is distinguished by its absence of houses, a first in Paris, and its sidewalks protecting pedestrians, as well as its semi-circular balconies housing shops.

The Nine Bridge is also marked by technical and symbolic innovations. It is the first Parisian bridge to completely cross the Seine, connecting the left bank, the right bank and the island of the Cité. In 1614, an equestrian statue of Henry IV, commissioned by Mary of Medici and made by John of Bologna and Pietro Tacca, was inaugurated. Founded during the Revolution, it was replaced in 1818 by a replica due to Lemot. The bridge is also famous for its 381 mascarons, grotesque sculptures inspired by mythology, and for the pump of the Samaritaine (1602-1608), Paris' first water lifting machine, which fed the Louvre and the Tuileries.

Over the centuries, Pont Neuf became an emblematic place for Parisian life. It was listed as a historic monument in 1889 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 with the banks of the Seine. In 1985, it was "packed" by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, and in 1994 it was flowered by Kenzo. A symbol of modernity in his time, he inspired painters (Turner, Renoir, Monet), filmmakers (Bresson, Carax) and architects, while remaining a place of memory, as evidenced by the landmarks of the 1910 flood.

Its architecture, with its seven arches on the large arm and five on the small arm side, as well as its candelabras designed by Victor Baltard in 1854, make it a model of engineering and aesthetics. The baskets, originally occupied by shops, were released in the 19th century, and the mascarons, although replaced by copies, recalled its artistic heritage. Today, after a complete restoration in 2007, Pont Neuf remains a symbol of Paris, combining history, art and innovation.

The bridge floor was the subject of numerous aborted architectural projects, such as an ancient forum proposed by Nicolas de l'Espine in 1662, or a Napoleonic obelisk in 1810. The statue of Henry IV, melted in 1792, was rebuilt thanks to a subscription under Louis XVIII. In 2023, the bridge even hosted a fashion parade for Louis Vuitton, illustrating its timeless status as a major cultural and historical site.

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