Pont Alexandre III

Constructed between 1896 and 1900, the Beaux-Arts style bridge is adorned with Art Nouveau lamps, cherubs, nymphs, and winged horses on both ends. Its name pays homage to Tsar Alexander III, who had established the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1892, and whose son, Nicholas II, laid the foundation stone in October 1896. The bridge's design mirrors that of the Grand Palais, which it connects to on the right bank.

A stunning feat of 19th-century engineering, the bridge boasts a single-span steel arch that rises 6 meters (20 feet) high. Architects Joseph Cassien-Bernard [fr] and Gaston Cousin faced constraints that required them to maintain unobstructed views of the Champs-Élysées and the Invalides.

The bridge was built by engineers Jean Résal and Amédée Alby [fr]. It was inaugurated in 1900, alongside the nearby Grand Palais and Petit Palais, as part of the Exposition Universelle (universal exhibition) World's Fair.

Fames

Overlooking the bridge are four statues made of gilt-bronze, each one depicting Fames. These statues are supported by massive masonry socles that measure 17 meters (56 feet) in height, providing a stabilizing counterweight for the arch while still allowing for impressive views. The Fames are depicted restraining Pegasus on top of the socles.

On the Right Bank, there are two statues by Emmanuel Frémiet: Renommée des Sciences (Fame of the Sciences) and Renommée des Arts (Fame of the Arts). At their bases are La France Contemporaine (Contemporary France) by Gustave Michel and France de Charlemagne (France of Charlemagne) by Alfred Lenoir [fr]. The lion groups are crafted by Georges Gardet.

On the Left Bank, there are two more statues: Renommée du Commerce (Fame of Commerce) by Pierre Granet [fr] and Renommée de l'Industrie (Fame of Industry) by Clément Steiner [fr]. At their bases are France de la Renaissance (France of the Renaissance) by Jules Coutan and La France de Louis XIV (France of Louis XIV) by Laurent Marqueste. The lion groups are by Jules Dalou.

Nymphs

The Seine arches feature nymph reliefs that commemorate the Franco-Russian Alliance. The Nymphs of the Seine relief showcases the Paris coat of arms and is positioned opposite the Nymphs of the Neva relief, which displays the Imperial Russian coat of arms. Both reliefs were crafted by Georges Récipon using hammered copper forms.

In a similar vein, the Trinity Bridge in Saint Petersburg was created as a tribute to the Franco-Russian Alliance. Gustave Eiffel designed the bridge, and it was inaugurated by French President Félix Faure in August 1897.

Films and videos

• The bridge features in multiple films, such as Anastasia (1956), French Postcards (1979), and A View to a Kill (1985).
• Music videos have also been filmed on the bridge, including The Moody Blues' "Nights in White Satin" (1967) and Adele's "Someone Like You" (2011).
• TV shows such as The Sopranos (2006) and Emily in Paris (2020) have also included scenes on the bridge.
• The bridge has been used in a range of genres, from spy movies like Ronin (1998) to romantic comedies like Befikre (2016).
• The bridge has also been used for action sequences, such as James Bond jumping off the bridge in A View to a Kill (1985) and Newt Scamander capturing a magical creature in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018).