If you want to get from the Jardin des Tuileries to the Musée d'Orsay, the quickest way is still to take the Pont Royal. This is the third oldest bridge in Paris!
Its construction dates back to the 17th century. At the time, the only way to cross from the right to the left bank of the Seine was via the Tuileries ferry, a simple boat. The rue du Bac still bears its name today.
Called the Pont Rouge (Red Bridge) because of its color, the bridge didn't last long, however, being set on fire in 1654 and destroyed by a flood two years later. A new wooden bridge was built in 1660, but was also destroyed by the waters.
In 1685, King Louis XIV chose to build a third bridge in stone: the Pont Royal, which was completed in 1689. Built by the famous architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the Pont Royal quickly became a favorite with Parisians, who used it for large festivals and popular gatherings. Despite its name, this five-arch bridge is surprisingly simple in its decoration. Its eight triangular spouts are the only embellishments.
During the French Revolution, the Pont Royal was renamed Pont National, then Pont des Tuileries by Napoleon, before returning to its original name in 1814. Since 1939, this Parisian bridge has been listed as a historic monument. To set foot on it is to step back in time through a whole chapter of Parisian history!
