Pont Alexandre III

It is commonly regarded to as the most beautiful bridge in Paris. The Pont Alexandre III lives up to its reputation with its extravagance and architectural design that is subtly modern, and its convenient location connecting the Grand Palais with the Invalides. It exudes of royalty, and its sculptural work is highly commendable.

The bridge is named after The Russian Empire Tsar Alexander III in 1892. The construction itself took place in a span of five years, starting from 1896 and ending in 1900, in time for the World Expo that was scheduled to take place in the end of the 19th century. Tsar Alexander III had long died by the time construction began, and his son Tsar Nicholas II, oversaw the project and laid the foundation stone. The bridge spots a single arch, and is made from steel. Owing to the limitation metal presents when working on it on site, prefabrications were made in a factory, and then transported to the construction site. If anything, the construction work attests to the milestones made in construction engineering as early as the late 19th century.

While the location was the most perfect one to build a bridge over the Seine, there was an eminent challenge. There was the real likelihood of impeding the view of the Invalides and the lavish avenue, the Champs-Elysees. It had been stated that the bridge was not to obstruct the view, and consequently the architects developed a low design of the Pont Alexandre III. It rises only 6m above the Seine, and has a length of 107m and a width of 40m. The singularity of its arch was perhaps the best way to overcome the challenge of its low height, something that made sense then, and even now when the Seine is frequently used for commercial purposes.

While the steelwork on the bridge cannot be underappreciated, there is more that draws to the bridge besides its engineering. The bridge is highly ornamental, with its lavish decorations of sculptural figures. Each ornamental element of the bridge is credited to a different artist, and this gave the Pont Alexandre III a heterogeneous quality. The most notable of the elements are the four 17m high pillars on each corner of the bridge. Mounted on top of each is a gilded bronze figure with a sculpture at each of the bases. At the centre arches, lies the Nymphs of the Seine which bear the arms of Paris, and the Nymphs of the Neva, which bear the Arms of Russia. There are other sculptural creations, such as the pillar foots, where a variation of aquatic life is presented in hammered copper.

The Pont Alexandre III ranks as the most exuberant bridge in the whole of Paris. With its many lampshade decorations, the bridge lights up at night, providing a captivating sight when darkness falls. The convenience of its location is marvelled at, and perhaps introduces you to the lavishness set not only on the Grand Palais, but on the Champs Elysees as well.