The Pont Alexandre III is one of the most beautiful and mythical bridges in Paris. Inaugurated for the1900 Exposition Universelle, the Pont Alexandre III was built to symbolize the Franco-Russian alliance signed in 1891. Not for nothing is it named after the Russian Tsar Alexander III. In return, the "Troïtsky" Trinity Bridge was built over the Neva River in St. Petersburg. The foundation stone for the Alexander III Bridge was laid by Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Fedorovna in 1896.
The Pont Alexandre III links theEsplanade des Invalides and theAvenue Winston Churchill, where the Petit Palais and Grand Palais are located, also built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition on the site of the Palais de l'Industrie. Engineers Jean Résal and Amédée Alby, and architects Cassien-Bernard and Gaston Cousin were commissioned to build the Pont Alexandre III. The latter had to adapt to the specifications, which called for the bridge to be decorative and flat enough to provide an unobstructed view between the Champs-Elysées and the Invalides, without impeding river traffic.
The result was a remarkable 160-meter-long bridge in cast steel. As specified in the specifications, the Pont Alexandre III is perfectly decorated. 32 bronze candelabras (those beautiful multi-branched lamp posts), 4 17-meter-high pillars topped with gilded renown, rich Louis XIV-style cast-iron decoration and beautiful lion statues at each end magnify this bridge, listed as a historic monument since 1975.
A must-see in Paris, day and night!
