It can be paradoxical, but the new bridge in Paris Pont Neuf is actually the oldest bridge in the French capital.
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It is also the most famous bridge in Paris, along with the bridge Pont Alexandre III. Many also consider it as the most beautiful in France.
The history of the bridge Pont Neuf dates back to the mid 16th century when the river Seine was crossed only by the two bridges. Since they were in a bad condition due to excessive load, King Henry III decided to build a new bridge in 1578.
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The process dragged on until 1607 when the bridge Pont-Neuf was officially opened by King Henry IV. After his death, the equestrian statue of the king was installed in the middle of the bridge. The statue was torn down and melted down during the French Revolution, but then replaced by an exact replica in 1818.
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The bridge had a progressive design for the time, amounting to 232 meters in length and 22 meters in width. During its construction, a certain number of innovative methods were used. For example, the Pont Neuf was the first bridge in Paris without buildings on top of the bridge. Besides, it was the first bridge with a paved roadway that immediately liked the Parisians - people began to use it as a place for walks and meetings. The semicircular area along the pavement was a great place to socialize.
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New Bridge Pont Neuf consists of two separate bridge spans, one on each side of the Ile de la Cité, where the area of the same name connects them together. In total, the bridge consists of 12 arches - with a span of seven arches on the right bank of the river, and the second span 5 arches connecting Île de la Cité and the left bank of the Seine.