The Alexandre III Bridge in figures
The Alexandre III Bridge at sunrise / Photo chosen by Monsieurdefrance.com: Manjik via dépositphotos.
The bridge is 152 meters long in total, but the arch is 107 meters long and 45 meters wide. It is made of cast steel and rests on two enormous "abutments" that withstand the pressure exerted by the arch. It is embellished by 4 pylons topped with renown and 32 bronze candelabras.
The bridge and its candelabras. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: ivanmateev via dépositphotos.
Symbols on the Alexandre III Bridge
Firstly, its very name is symbolic, since it bears the name of Tsar Alexander III, and pays tribute to the Franco-Russian friendship of the early 20th century. It was inaugurated on April 14, 1900 by French President Emile LOUBET, 4 years after the foundation stone was laid by Tsar Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra FEDOROVNA during an official trip in the presence of President Felix FAURE. The 3 of them ended up rather badly: Nicholas II and his wife were assassinated in 1917, and Felix Faure died in the Elysée Palace in the arms of his mistress... But never mind.
The magnificent Alexandre III bridge in Paris. In the background, the Invalides. Photo chosen by Monsieurdefrance.com: muratart/Shutterstock.com
The 4 pylons
Made of gilded bronze , they stand 17 metres high and adorn the bridge.
The bridge and its pylons. In the distance, the invalids. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: mshch1 via dépositphotos.
Right bank: The renown of the arts and the renown of the sciences.
They were created by Emmanuel FREMIET (1824-1910), who was also responsible for the Joan of Arc statue on the Place des Pyramides in Paris and the Archangel on Mont Saint Michel. The pylon pedestals are dedicated to France in the Middle Ages by Alfred Charles LENOIR (1850-1920) and to France during the Renaissance by Jules COUTAN (1848-1939).
Left bank: Battle fame and Pegasus held by War fame.
Pegasus retained by the Renommée de la Guerre by Léopold Steiner and Eugène Gantzlin. Photo selected by monsieurdefrance.com hzparisien@gmail.com via depositphotos.
The renommée au combat was created by Pierre GRANET (1842-1910) and the renommée tenant pégase was created by Léopold STEINER and Eugène GANTZLIN. The piedestales are dedicated to the France of Louis XIV by Laurent MARQUESTE (1848-1920) and to modern France by Gustave MICHEL (1851-1924).
The sculptures
The little girl playing with a shell. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.Com: encrier via depositphotos.
Numerous bronze sculptures adorn the Alexandre III bridge, contrasting with the pearl-grey decking and giving it a wild charm. Lovers, genies, fish, shells and the touching little girl playing with a shell. Georges RECIPON created the two central groups in the middle of the arch, depicting the arms of Russia carried by the nymphs of the Neva River on the Concorde side, and the arms of Paris (with the boat) carried by the nymphs of the Seine on the Alma Tour Eiffel side. Finally, two stone groups feature children and lions.
One of the Seine nymphs depicted on the Alma side by Georges Recipon. Photo chosen by Monsieurdefrance: Freeprod via depositphotos.
How to get to the Alexandre III Bridge
The coat of arms of the City of Paris on the Alexandre III bridge. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: imagedb_seller via depositphotos.
Address
Pont Alexandre III 75008 PARIS
Metro
Lines 8 and 13 Invalides station
BUS
Lines 63 and 93
RER
REC C: Gare des invalides station (left bank).
