I like the face in the upper right. Downstream is the Pont au Change, then the Pont Neuf.
The piers on either end are masonry, but the central span is made of iron. I was surprised to read that one of the earlier bridges at this location collapsed in 1499 under the weight of the buildings that were constructed on top. Other versions of the bridge were damaged by floods and boats. The current version seems to be holding up just fine.
In its heyday, the Pont au Change probably looked like the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. The oldest bridge in Paris, as its name doesn't imply, is the Pont-Neuf!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed seeing this bridge during my visit last summer. This is a great photo, with the iron and the masonry in it.
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying this up-close tour. We admired the netted ball court (from your post a day or two ago) last summer.
ReplyDeleteOld bridges are so spectacularly detailed, just amazing.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if those are mooring rings, and if so if they're ever used.
chm, fun facts!
ReplyDeletejudy, cool that you remembered. There are so many bridges!
chris, the kids were really enjoying it.
emm, they probably are, and they probably were, but probably no longer.
That stone face!
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