Just when you think Paris has no secrets for us, our beloved City of Light reveals one (or more!) anecdotes out of its hat. Today, we're zooming in on the imposing Pont-Neuf. Welcome to our " Did you know?" section, specially concocted to help you shine in society.
The oldest bridge in Paris
Let's face it, the Pont-Neuf isn't the first bridge in Paris, but it is the oldest in existence. Erected between 1578 and 1607 and listed as a Monument Historique, the building has many titles to its name. It was the first stone bridge to cross the Seine completely, and the only one at the time to have no dwellings.
Paris's first sidewalks
The oldest bridge in Paris was the first sidewalk (wasn't it?). The bridge opposite the Samaritaine thus also holds the very select title of housing the very first sidewalk in Paris. It wasn't until the early 17th century that sidewalks first appeared in Paris, on the Pont-Neuf. Before its inauguration, Parisians on foot and on horseback trod the same cobblestones - and, alas, the same garbage. It wasn't until 1780 that the second Parisian sidewalk appeared on rue de l'Odéon. Then in 1883, Eugène Poubelle, then Prefect of the Seine, introduced his dustbins.
It was packaged by Christo before the Arc de Triomphe.
Before theArc de Triomphe this autumn, the Pont-Neuf had the privilege of being wrapped by the artist duo Christo and Jeanne-Claude, from September 22 to October 14, 1985. 40,000 m2 of canvas, 300 professionals and thousands of Parisians marvelled at the reflections of the golden canvas.
And also...
Come on, we're being nice, one last one for the road, because this big guy is worth it. The bridge is adorned with a hundred cynical, mysterious mascarons that watch you go by... If you don't know what a Paris mascaron is, we'll tell you about them too.
