Pont Neuf

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The Pont Neuf is the oldest standing bridge in Paris, France, across the river Seine. Ironically, its name means "new bridge" in (the name, coined in the early 17th century, stuck).

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Standing by the western edge of the ?le de la Cit? (an island in the middle of the river), it connects the Left Bank of Paris (to the south) with the Right Bank.

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The total length of the bridge is 278 m, its width 28 m. It is actually composed of two separate spans, one of 5 arches joining the south (left) bank to the ?le de la Cit?, another of 7 joining the island to the north (right) bank.

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The decision to build the bridge was taken by King Henri IV, who would lay its first stone and inaugurate it. Its construction started in 1578 and was completed in 1604 (or 1607, depending on sources). The Pont Neuf is constructed as a series of many short arch bridges, as most bridges of that time were built. Contrary to the habits of the time, the bridge was the first stone bridge in Paris not to support houses in addition to a thoroughfare, and was also fitted with pavements protecting pedestrians from mud and horses. The bridge had heavy traffic from the beginning; it was for a long time the widest bridge in Paris. The structure has never been altered, although the bridge has undergone repair and renovation work. The wooden posts supporting the foundations are still the originals.

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The nearest station of the Paris M?tro is Pont Neuf.

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Bridge: :This article is about the edifice (it is mostly an index to articles concerning specific bridge types). For other meanings, see bridge (disambiguation)....

Paris: Paris is the capital city of France, as well as the capital of the ?le-de-France r?gion, whose territory encompasses Paris and its suburbs. The city of Paris proper is also a d?partement, called Paris d?partement (French: d?partement de Paris). It is a wonderful city for aimless wandering of which f...

France: The French Republic or France (: R?publique fran?aise or France) is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in Western Europe, and which is further made up of a collection of overseas islands and territories located in other continents....

Pont Neuf related Images and Photos (experimental)

Pont Neuf Paris	Le Pont Neuf Wrapped I	The Pont Neuf 1832	Paris Le Pont-Neuf
Pont-Neuf Paris Snow Second Series 1902	The Pont-Neuf and the Ile de la Cite 1881	Carnival at Pont Neuf 1830	The Pont Neuf and the Statue of Henri IV Paris 1884
The Congestion in Paris Pont Neuf from the Rue Dauphine	View of Ile De La Cite Paris from the Quai Du Louvre with the Pont Des Arts and the Pont Neuf	Pont-Aven	Pont Notre Dame