Pont Neuf, Paris

About the Pont Neuf

The Pont Neuf crosses the Seine at the western tip of the Île de la Cité, where Paris was born. It has two parts: five arches lead to the Left Bank and seven to the Right, with the bridge crossing the point of the island in between. King Henry III laid the first stone on 31 May 1578, and it was completed in 1607, under Henry IV.

It was called 'New' to set it apart from the old bridges lined with houses. Those have long been replaced, but the Pont Neuf remains, making it the oldest surviving bridge across the Seine in Paris. It has been a French historic monument since 1889.

What to see

• The mascarons — 381 stone masks under the cornice, all different.
• Half-round bays — 'balconies' over the piers with river views.
• Henry IV's statue — the equestrian monument mid-bridge.
• Square du Vert-Galant — the green tip of the Île de la Cité.
• Place Dauphine — a quiet triangle of 17th-century houses.
• La Samaritaine — the department store by the bridge on the Right Bank.

The first bridge without houses

The Pont Neuf was the first stone bridge in Paris without houses on it: people simply walked and rode across, admiring the river. It had pavements to protect pedestrians from mud and horses, and half-round bays above each pier where you could step aside for a carriage. Today those 'balconies' have benches and offer the best views of the Seine.

The builders set the two parts of the bridge at a slight angle to each other to better withstand the current. For a long time the Pont Neuf was also the city's widest bridge. In the 19th century its arches were flattened, and in 1994–2007 it was fully restored in time for its 400th anniversary.

The masks and Henry IV's statue

The cornices carry 381 mascarons, stone heads of forest and field deities, satyrs and sylvans. No two are alike: some laugh, others frown or pull faces. Those on the bridge now are copies; the originals are attributed to the Renaissance sculptor Germain Pilon.

Where the bridge crosses the island stands a bronze equestrian statue of Henry IV, commissioned by his widow Marie de' Medici. It was erected in 1614 and later restored in the 19th century. Behind it, steps lead down to the Square du Vert-Galant, the green promontory at the very tip of the Île de la Cité, named after the king's nickname, the 'gallant old charmer'.

A bridge that was a public square

From its opening the Pont Neuf was a favourite haunt of Parisians. Stalls lined it, acrobats, conjurers and musicians performed, pamphlets and news were sold, and famous tooth-pullers plied their trade. It was said you could never cross the Pont Neuf without meeting a monk, a girl and a white horse, and any popular satirical song was simply called 'un pont-neuf'.

Peter the Great, visiting Paris, declared he had seen nothing more curious than the Pont Neuf, and Benjamin Franklin wrote home that he only understood the Parisians after crossing it. In the 18th century the bridge carried the Samaritaine pump house with a carillon, which gave its name to the La Samaritaine department store, opened in 1869 on the nearby bank.

What's nearby

Behind Henry IV's statue opens Place Dauphine, a quiet triangle of old 17th-century houses with chestnut trees and cafés, one of the cosiest spots in Paris. Further along the island are the Palais de Justice, the Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame.

On the Right Bank by the bridge stands the restored Samaritaine store with its Art Nouveau décor and glass roof, and beyond it the Louvre. On the Left Bank are quays of booksellers and the streets of Saint-Germain. Seine sightseeing boats dock by the Square du Vert-Galant.

Tips for your visit

Fit the Pont Neuf into a walk round the Île de la Cité: Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Place Dauphine, Pont Neuf and the Square du Vert-Galant. Cross the whole bridge, sit in one of the bays and go down to the water in the square.

The masks are best seen from the water: many sightseeing boats leave right from the Square du Vert-Galant. The Louvre quay gives the classic view of the whole arched bridge.

The bridge is open public space with no tickets or opening hours. It's busy in the evening, so keep your belongings close.

Places in Paris: compare and choose

Places in Paris rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.

Nearby and on the way

57

Sainte-Chapelle

Paris, France

1 h · Timed ticket, online · 6 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Sainte-Chapelle

51

Île de la Cité

Paris, France

2 h 30 min · Free, it's a city island · 9 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Île de la Cité

62

The Louvre

Paris, France

3 h 30 min · Timed ticket, online · 10 min walk

Yes — add to my route: The Louvre

50

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Paris, France

1 h 30 min · Quarter and church free · 12 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Saint-Germain-des-Prés

How to do it right

• Sunset from the bridge.
• Masks from the water.
• The square at the tip.
• Watch your belongings.

Questions