Tourist attractions in Paris : Pont Alexandre III

The Pont Alexandre III (Alexander III Bridge) with its many sculpture works, can be regarded as the most elegant bridge in Paris. It is made of a six-meters high single leaf arch that spans the Seine, connecting the Champs-Élysées quarter and the Invalides and Eiffel Tower quarter. Apart from its artistic beauty, the Alexander III bridge is a prominent engineering work of the 19th century.

Photo by Christian R. H

Photo by Christian R. H

Built in only two years by the engineers Jean Résal and Amédée d'Alby, it is named after Tsar Alexander III, who had concluded the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1892. His son Nicholas II laid the foundation stone in October 1896, although the structure was opened at the 1900 Universal Exhibition. In the same political spirit Trinity Bridge was constructed in St.Petersburg as the other symbol of the alliance. 

Photo by JackVersloot

Photo by James.Stringer

Photo by teachandlearn

Photo by Medelie Vendetta

The bridge is adorned with lampposts and sculptures of cherubs and nymphs. on each corner of the bridge there are four 17 meters high corner pillars, that provide stabilizing counterweight for the arch. Each pillar bears a gilded bronze on top which represents Pegasus held by Fame.

Photo by niall62

Photo by niall62

Photo by dreamsjung

Photo by deano7000

The centers of the arches are decorated with two nymph reliefs in beaten copper as memorials to the Franco-Russian Alliance. Nymphs of the Seine with the arms of France and Nymphs of the Neva with the arms of Imperial Russia on the other face are both  designed by Georges Récipon. 


Text Sources : paris.fr  and  wikipedia.org