Pont-Neuf: The New Bridge

You’re now on the Pont-Neuf, paradoxically the oldest bridge built over the Garonne! The single arch you see in front of you, next to the Hôtel-Dieu, is all that remains of the old bridge that once stood here. The construction of the strategically important Pont-Neuf was authorized by François the 1st, who levied a special tax in 1541 to finance the project. It wasn’t, however, until 1632 that the bridge was inaugurated in the presence of Louis the 14th, who even made the trip for the occasion! It took so long to build, mainly because of the French Wars of Religion. Along with the Pont-Neuf in Paris, it marks the debut of a new architectural style. Unlike the bridges in the Middle Ages, which were often lined with shops and houses, this new design was devoid of such structures. At the time, it served as a grand entry point into the city, leading to a triumphal arch with an equestrian statue of King Louis the 13th, both demolished in 1860. The bridge itself is solid, having withstood all the great floods of the Garonne. The Saint-Michel bridge sadly met a different fate. It’s the one you see in the far distance on your right. It is the third of its kind, its predecessors having been swept away by the mighty waters of the Garonne in 1890 and 1961. Continue across the bridge to the Quai de Tournis on your right, a waterfront promenade along the river. Next, we’ll head for the church that you can see protruding from the roofs slightly to the right.