Despite its name, the Pont Neuf (New Bridge) - the oldest bridge over the Seine in Paris. It connects to the seafront promenade Louvre Conti, and crosses the middle of the island of Cite.

In the XVI century bridge in Paris it was only four, they are not enough, and the idea of ​​building a new crossing was discussed even under Henry II. We began to build under Henry III, as well opened the Pont Neuf Henry IV in 1607.

As most of the bridges of the time, Pont Neuf was built in the Romanesque style, and is a series of short arch spans. It was the first stone bridge in Paris with amazing innovations: it staged on sidewalks for pedestrians, but not built houses and shops - especially Henry IV made sure that nothing is blocking the view of the Louvre.

In 1614, by order of Maria de Medici in the middle of the bridge, where it crosses the Cité, established equestrian statue of King Henry IV, was already killed. During the French Revolution Monument smashed and thrown into the Seine, but then Louis XVIII ordered to cast and put a new statue, a copy of the same. She stands there to this day.

Of course, the merchants were very unhappy with the fact that the stores are not built and so much space is wasted. However, life on the bridge is still in full swing. Musicians playing, jumping acrobats, fire-eaters surprised people wandering healers removed his teeth and selling all kinds of drugs, royal soldier recruiters fluster the young men in the crowd darted pickpockets and prostitutes walking. Paris police said that if within three days, people did not cross the Pont Neuf, which means that it was not in town.

In the 50 years of XVIII century in vogue just appeared Grands Boulevards and the Pont Neuf gradually went out of fashion. In the middle of the XIX century, people have said that the Pont Neuf has ceased to be an eternal fair, he is now a bridge that crosses without stopping. Well, but it has become a safe and beautiful has always been.

Parisians love to the bridge failed. Pont Neuf Impressionists wrote, sang in his poems and songs, make a film about him, he had not just a bridge, it is one of the symbols of Paris.