Pont Alexandre III visitor guide

Visit Pont Alexandre III, Paris

The Pont Alexandre III is a bridge across the Seine in the centre of Paris, between the Grand Palais to the north of the river, and the avenue leading to the Hotel des Invalides to the south of the river.

Discover the Pont Alexandre III, bridge in Paris

France This Way review: the Pont Alexandre III is perhaps the most beautiful and most famous bridge in Paris, in the Beaux Arts style and with many statues and decorative elements to admire. Be sure to stop and discover the bridge if you are nearby!

columns and statues on Pont Alexandre III

The bridge was built at the end of the 19th century, to be ready for the Exposition Universelle in 1900. The name of the bridge comes from a Russian czar, and the bridge represented the close links between Russia and France at that time.

The structure of the bridge is based on a single steel arch, 107 metres long, which was a significant challenge of engineering at the end of the 19th century.

One of the biggest challenges is the enormous forces at the end of the bridge, so very substantial foundations were required at each end, about 40 metres wide and 30 metres thick, with tunnels through them to allow traffic to pass.

The bridge was designed to be as flat as possible, so that from the Champs-Elysees you could see all the way to the Invalides, while of course being high enough to allow boats to pass underneath.

The bridge is symmetrical and features four large gilded bronze statues (these are each 17 metres high) on high stone columns, numerous other statues in bronze of cherubs and nymphs, and beautiful wrought iron lamps along both sides of the bridge. The statues of the winged horses are said to represent War, Science, Combat and Art.

Our favourite view of the bridge is from the walkway on the south of the river, where you have a view of the bridge with the Grand Palais just behind. If possible you should also walk across the bridge at night, when it is equally beautiful.

For the best views of the statues of cherubs along the sides of the bridge you can take a cruise along the Seine river: you get lovely views of the bridge, but little time to pause and take photographs!

The bridge has featured in many French films but is likely to be best known internationally because it featured in the video for Adele singing Someone Like You.

statue on Pont Alexandre III

The closest Metro station to the bridge is the Invalides station: the station is on lines 8 and 13 of the metro, and on line C of the RER network.

Attractions nearby

You will have seen the views of the Eiffel Tower from the bridge (although it is rather too far away to provide the best views of the tower) and every visit to Paris includes a visit to this iconic monument. The Grand Palais and the Petit Palais at the north end of the bridge are also very important monuments.

You can find more travel ideas in the Paris region guide.

To make travel arrangements to visit Pont Alexandre III see HERE