From Roman masterpieces to one of the beauties of the Belle Époque, here are 14 of the most beautiful bridges in France to visit.
From the tallest bridge in the world to one of the greatest buildings of the ancient world, there are some extraordinary bridges in France to discover.
And whether you’re pottering around Paris for a few days or road-tripping across the sunny South, there’s a chance you’ll encounter a few of them on your travels. This guide will show you where they are, and help you build a few of them into your France itinerary.
We begin with four of the most beautiful bridges in Paris, before branching out to explore more outstanding bridges around the country. Enjoy!
Pont Neuf, Paris
Ironically, the ‘new bridge’ in Paris happens to be the oldest in the city. Completed in 1607, the Pont Neuf is also the longest bridge in the centre of Paris, at 238 metres. It crosses the Seine via the Île de la Cité, with a total of twelve arches. When it was completed it was the only paved bridge in Paris – if you wanted to cross the river anywhere else, you often had to wade through a muddy quagmire to do so!
For many years shops and street traders filled the bridge, though these were gone by the 19th century. As you walk across the Île de la Cité, you pass the equestrian statue of Henri IV, who commissioned the bridge, on your right. He was also known as the Vert Galant – literally ‘green gallant’, meaning an older man keen on chasing after younger women. There is a small, beautiful park named after him at the bottom of the stairs next to the statue.
This park – the Square du Vert Galant – occupies the western end of the Île de la Cité. It’s a great spot to watch the sunset in summer. Or you could find a spot on the riverbank with a view of the Pont Neuf,and settle down with a picnic and bottle of wine for the evening. A wonderful place to watch the world go by for a while.
See Also: Pont Neuf Paris – The Oldest Bridge In Paris
Pont des Arts, Paris
The Pont des Arts is one of the most romantic bridges in Paris, a footbridge spanning the Seine between the Louvre and the domed Institut de France on the Left Bank.
The bridge days back to the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte – it was built between 1801 and 1804. It was only ever a footbridge, but pedestrians originally had to pay a toll – one sou, or five centimes – to cross it.
After various episodes – from wartime bombing to boats crashing into it – the Pont des Arts was rebuilt between 1981 and 1984. In the 2000s, a tradition of placing a love lock on the bridge began, and within a few years around 700,000 had been padlocked to the parapets. The bridge was in danger of collapse, so the locks had to be removed.
Even so, it’s a wonderfully romantic spot, with superb views upstream to the Pont Neuf and Île de la Cité, and downstream towards the Eiffel Tower. `
See Also: Pont des Arts Paris – the Romantic Love Bridge Over the Seine
Where To Stay Near The Pont des Arts And Pont Neuf: Hotel de Seine – great 3-star on the Left Bank, five minutes’ walk from either bridge
Pont Alexandre III, Paris
My Russian history tutor at university used to laugh about the irony of how this joyously exuberant bridge was named after what he called ‘not the cheeriest fellow’, Tsar Alexander III. But it was named after him to celebrate the Franco-Russian Alliance, which was sealed in the 1890s.
The foundation stone was laid by his son and successor, Tsar Nicholas II, in 1896. It was completed in 1900, in time for the Exposition Universelle. It’s one of the great monuments of Belle Époque Paris, along with the Grand and Petit Palais off the northern end of the Bridge.
The Pont Alexandre III is adorned with all kinds of mythical figures, from cherubs climbing candelabra lamps to nymphs holding torches above the Seine. Add in some gold-painted statues and you have the most elaborate, ornate bridge in Paris. And the views – of the Hotel des Invalides and Eiffel Tower – are rather special too.
See Also: Pont Alexandre III Paris – The Most Beautiful Bridge In The French Capital
Where To Stay Near The Pont Alexandre III: Hotel Bourgogne & Montana, just behind the Assemblée Nationale, is a few minutes’ walk from the bridge.
What To See Nearby: The bridge is very close to the Hotel des Invalides and Rodin Museum, both around a 10-minute walk away.
Pont de Bir-Hakeim, Paris
This bridge, one downstream from the Eiffel Tower, is the most exotic of bridges in Paris.
It’s named after a Second World War battle in Libya in which the Free French forces fought alongside the British against German and Italian forces under the command of ‘Desert Fox’ Erwin Rommel.
The Bir-Hakeim Bridge is unusual in that it’s on two levels. The lower level carries two road lanes, a pedestrian walkway and cycle track. The upper level – supported by elegant metal arches – is occupied by two lanes of Metro line 6 train track.
I recommend taking a walk on the Bir-Hakeim Bridge to enjoy one of the best Eiffel Tower views in Paris. The arches frame the Tower beautifully, and there’s also a great vantage point just below the road and walkway, next to the France Renascente sculpture.
See Also: Bir-Hakeim Bridge Paris – One Of The Most Beautiful In Paris
Where To Stay Near The Bir-Hakeim Bridge: The 4-star Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel is a few minutes’ walk from the Bridge, with the Eiffel Tower very close in the other direction.
Pont du Gard
This stunning Roman aqueduct is one of the most famous bridges in Europe, if not the world. It was built in the 1st century AD to ensure a regular water supply to the city of Nemausus (modern Nimes), 12 miles (20 km) to the southwest.
The aqueduct spans the River Gardon between Remoulins and Uzès, and it remained in use for between 400 and 500 years, before being blocked with debris. After that it was still used as a toll bridge through the Middle Ages.
It became an obligatory stop for visitors undertaking the Grand Tour of Europe, and there’s no doubt that it’s one of the greatest Roman monuments in Europe. It’s also the inspiration for the bridge on the reverse of the 5 euro note (not officially, but show me another triple-layered stone arched bridge on the continent!).
Access to the Bridge and surrounding walks is free – you only pay for entry to the Museum (€8 for adults) or to join a guided tour (€15 for adults).
Where To Stay Near Pont du Gard: La Bastide des Pins is a guest house in the country with a garden and swimming pool – and it’s only a 20-minute walk from the Pont du Gard.
What to see nearby: Continue a few miles along the D381 to the beautiful medieval town of Uzès.
See Also: 14 Best Day Trips from Avignon
Millau Viaduct
The Viaduc de Millau is the tallest bridge in the world, soaring 343 metres (1,125 feet) above the floor of the Tarn Valley. It was opened in 2004, the work of Michel Virlogeux and Lord Norman Foster, of the Gherkin and London Millennium Bridge fame.
It carries the A75 autoroute 2460 metres – over 1 ½ miles – across the valley, supported by just nine pillars with cables. It’s wonderfully graceful, seemingly floating in the sky above the landscape.
The A75 – often called La Méridienne – runs south across the Massif Central to the Mediterranean coast near Béziers.
I first visited the Millau Viaduct in 2005, the year after it opened. Since then, several viewpoints have been opened up for visitors, including the Aire du Viaduc de Millau on exit 45, just off the northern approach to the bridge. I also recommend spending a couple of hours driving around the valley below the Viaduct, where there are more superb viewpoints.
Where To Stay In Millau: Chateau de Creissels – a luxury 4-star hotel in a chateau with prime views of the Millau Viaduct
What To See Nearby: The medieval village of Peyre, right below the Viaduct, is gorgeous. And cheese lovers shouldn’t miss the village of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, home to the world-famous blue cheese, ten miles (16 km) away.
Pont d’Avignon
Also known as the Pont Saint-Bénézet, Avignon’s truncated bridge over the River Rhône is one of the most famous landmarks in France.
Bénézet was a local shepherd who had a vision in 1177, urging him to build a bridge over the Rhône. He had no support for this venture, so he decided to do so himself. According to tradition, he moved an enormous foundation stone into place by himself, a feat witnesses considered miraculous. As he did this, several other miracles are said to have occurred, including blind people becoming able to see, and deaf people able to hear.
These miracles are said to have garnered him support for building the bridge. But the choice of location wasn’t the wisest. The original wooden structure – possibly with stone piers – was destroyed by flood and replaced by a stone bridge on the 13th century. And this later bridge was further damaged by floods in the 17th century – so much so that only four arches now remain.
St Bénézet was buried in a chapel on the bridge, but after his remains were washed away in a flood, it was decided to keep them somewhere safer. His relics are now held in the church of St Didier in Avignon.
The bridge inspired the famous song, Sur le pont d’Avignon, which describes a dance under the bridge. The song should be called Sous le pont d’Avignon, but over time, the word sur – meaning ‘on’ – has stuck!
Where To Stay In Avignon: La Banasterie – highly-rated B&B a few steps from the Palais des Papes, in a house built in 1521
See Also: One Day In Avignon – 24 Hours In The City of Popes
Pont Valentré, Cahors
This astonishing medieval bridge is one of the greatest in Europe, its three defensive towers and six stone arches spanning the River Lot. It was built during the Hundred Years War with England, though it didn’t see any action – which partly explains its remarkable state today.
The bridge took 70 years – from 1308 to 1378 – to complete. The traditional tale goes that the Devil kept removing the final stone so that it constantly had to be replaced, forever delaying its completion. In those days the story of a troublesome devil thwarting a project would have probably carried more weight than it would now!
During the bridge’s 19th century restoration, the engineer in charge, Paul Gout, learned of this story, so a figure of a devil was added to the top of the central tower of the bridge.
While in Cahors, don’t miss its extraordinary Cathedral, an incredible architectural hotch-potch that would have fitted beautifully into the Harry Potter movies.
Where To Stay In Cahors – Hotel Restaurant La Chartreuse Logis de France is in a great location close to the River Lot and the Pont Valentré.
Pont de Normandie
This cable-stayed bridge crosses the Seine near where it flows into the English Channel. It links the ports of Le Havre and Honfleur, carrying the A29 autoroute (motorway), and provides an alternative crossing to the Pont de Tancarville a few miles upstream.
It’s an inpressive piece of engineering, and one of the biggest surprises is the steepness of the climb to the apex of the bridge. It is even an official climb on the Tour de France cycle race, with points awarded going towards the King of the Mountains jersey.
Where To Stay In Honfleur: La Poupardoise – a restored fisherman’s cottage overlooking the gorgeous Vieux Port in Honfleur
What To See Nearby: The port city of Le Havre, rebuilt after the Second World War, is fascinating for lovers of modern architecture, and home to the superb Musee d’Art Moderne Andre Malraux (MuMa).
See Also: Normandy Road Trip – The Best 7-Day Itinerary
Pont Vieux, Albi
The World Heritage city of Albi is one of the most beautiful small cities in Europe, and a personal favourite of mine for many years. It sits on the banks of the river Tarn, which is spanned by several bridges. The oldest of these is the beautiful Pont Vieux (Old Bridge).
Like much of the city, it’s built from red brick. There was a stone bridge in situ as early as the 11th century, but this Gothic structure, with its pointed arches, was completed around 200 years later. Some of what you see today is from this period, with later restorations. At one stage several houses were built on the bridge, but these were destroyed by a flood in 1766, and never rebuilt.
I urge anyone visiting Albi to walk across the Bridge from the Cathedral side, just to admire the view looking back to the Cathedral. It’s one of the most beautiful cityscapes in France, like the Cathedral, worth travelling well out of your way to see.
Where to Stay in Albi – The 4-star Mercure Albi Bastides has an amazing setting, overlooking the Pont Vieux, Cathedral and River Tarn.
See Also: South of France Road Trip – The Best 10-Day Itinerary
Garabit Viaduct
You may get a sense of déjà vu when you first catch sight of the Viaduc de Garabit in the Auvergne region. But it wasn’t until weeks after I saw it that the penny finally dropped.
Just as the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a larger version of the Tyne Bridge in England, so the Garabit Viaduct is a reworking of an earlier design, the Maria Pia bridge over the river Douro in Porto, Portugal.
The Viaduc de Garabit was designed by a certain Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, and was completed in 1885, four years before his famous Tower in Paris. It runs 124 metres above the Truyère river, so it’s not a copy of the bridge in Porto, more a modification of its design for a deeper gorge.
Where To Stay Near Garabit: The Logis Hotel Beau Site is just off the end of the Viaduct.
What To See Nearby: The Parc Naturel des Volcans, near Clermont-Ferrand, is less than an hour to the north. The Millau Viaduct is a 1 hour 15-minute drive to the south along the A75.
Tip: You get a good view of the Garabit Viaduct from the motorway service area a mile or so to the east.
Ponts Couverts Strasbourg
Like the Pont Valentré, the Ponts Couverts are a series of bridges with fortified towers, built across the River Ill during the Middle Ages.
They lost their roof coverings some time in the 18th century, but remain one of the main Strasbourg landmarks, and a great gateway to the Petite France island district of the city. This in turn is part of the Grande Ile, the first city district to be given UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1988.
The bridges are only 50 metres or so upstream from the fortified Barrage Vauban, built in the 17th century. The Barrage could be raised if the city was under military threat, causing the river Ill to flood south of Strasbourg, thwarting the attackers.
Where To Stay In Strasbourg: Hotel Tandem is a great boutique hotel close to the train station, the Ponts-Couverts and the Petite-France district.
Pont de Pierre, Bordeaux
Three of the great rivers of southwest France – the Tarn, Lot and Dordogne – empty into the biggest of them all, the Garonne. And before its long, slow passage into the Bay of Biscay, it has one last hurrah, at the magnificent Pont de Pierre in Bordeaux.
Its name means ‘bridge of stone’, but it’s largely made of brick. Napoleon Bonaparte ordered its construction – it was to be the first bridge across the Garonne in the city – to speed up transport of troops and supplies for his Peninsular Wars in Spain. However it wasn’t completed until after his death, in 1822.
It’s a splendid bridge, with seventeen arches, adorned with ornate wrought-iron lamps. It carried all of Bordeaux’ road traffic until 1965, and the wear and tear accumulated over 140 years means that it’s now only open to public transport, pedestrians and emergency vehicles.
The Bridge is a massive 487 metres long, and adjoins the Port de la Lune (‘Port of the Moon’) World Heritage Site, a collection of over 300 18th-century buildings.
Where To Stay In Bordeaux: Hotel Madame – excellent 3-star in the city centre, close to the Cathedral and River Garonne
Pont Julien, Bonnieux, Provence
The ancient Roman Pont Julien is believed to be even older than the Pont du Gard. Its construction date is believed to be 3 BC, and it’s part of the ancient long-distance Via Domitia road, which linked what is now Turin in Italy with the Roman stronghold of Narbonne in southwest France.
The triple-arched stone bridge spans the River Calavon 5 km (3 miles) north of the gorgeous village of Bonnieux. I’ve visited the bridge three times, and each time the river had run dry. But the Calavon can flood ferociously, and the holes built between the arches were cut to allow some of the water to pass through.
What to see nearby: Don’t miss the ochre village of Roussillon, one of the most beautiful villages in Europe.
Where To Stay: Omma, Roussillon – lovely boutique hotel in the heart of the ochre village
Most Beautiful Bridges In France – Final Thoughts
If this article has piqued your interest, I suggest taking a look at my feature on the most beautiful bridges in Europe. This covers the likes of the Charles Bridge in Prague, the Tower Bridge in London and the stunning Bastei Bridge high up in the sandstone rocks of the Saxon Switzerland National Park in Germany.
Also checkout my guide to the best famous Paris bridges, which shows you another 10 bridges over the Seine that I haven’t covered in this article.
I also recommend taking a look at some of my general introductory articles on France, including What Is France Famous For and Famous Landmarks in France. For even more inspiration, check out my France Travel Guide.