Pont Neuf
The “New Bridge” with an old story.
Paris’s oldest surviving bridge is a natural place to connect a riverside walk with Île de la Cité. Stop for the river views and look back towards the banks.
Crossings worth a detourThe bridges of Paris.
The bridges of Paris.
Each with a point of view.
Six Seine bridges to look out for, a simple riverside walk and plenty of reasons to pause. Your camera may need more time than your itinerary allows.
Explore the guide ↓
Paris, one crossing at a timeTake the scenic
Take the scenic
way across.
The bridges do more than connect the banks. They give you a new angle on the skyline, link neighbourhoods and mark different chapters of the city’s architecture.
Choose a few close to the rest of your plans. The pleasure is in the pauses, not in collecting every crossing before lunch.
Six to put on your radar
Stone, iron and a little theatre.
Pont Alexandre III
Paris dressed for an occasion.
Ornate lamps, sculpture and golden details make this a particularly expressive crossing. Give yourself time to look at the decoration as well as the panorama.
Pont des Arts
A reason to slow down.
This pedestrian crossing links the Louvre area with the Left Bank. It is a lovely place to pause over the river rather than simply hurry across it.
Pont de Bir-Hakeim
Ironwork meets the skyline.
The bridge’s strong structure creates a different frame for Paris. Look for Eiffel Tower viewpoints and enjoy the contrast with the older stone crossings.
Pont Marie
A little time around the island.
Pair this historic crossing with a walk around Île Saint-Louis. The surrounding streets and quays are as much a part of the outing as the bridge itself.
Pont du Carrousel
From the museum to the river.
A useful crossing for a walk around the Louvre area and the Left Bank. Pause to take in the quays before continuing along the water.
Your easy riverside planA walk with
A walk with
room to wander.
Start around the Louvre and allow roughly 90 minutes, adjusting for your pace, photos and stops.
Plan an evening on the river ↗- Pont des Arts
Start with a broad river view. A good place to put the phone away after taking the photo.
- Pont Neuf
Continue towards Île de la Cité and the historic heart of Paris.
- The riverside quays
Follow the banks and stop when a view catches your eye. Check local access and conditions as you go.
Keep exploring
The river has more to tell.
The story behind the view
Read our history of the Seine for the context behind its islands, banks and crossings.
See it from the water
Compare Seine cruise styles. Your chosen GetYourGuide listing will confirm which route and arrangements apply.
Pick a bridge walk that fits your cruise
A walk and a boat trip offer different ways to enjoy the river. On foot, you can stop for a detail or a photograph. On the water, the succession of bridges becomes part of the view. Choose a short walk near your confirmed boarding point and finish it with plenty of time to find the pier.
For historic Paris
Start by exploring the area around Pont Neuf and Île de la Cité. Despite its name, “New Bridge,” Pont Neuf belongs to an earlier chapter of the city: the City of Paris’s bridge history records the laying of its first stone in 1578. Take time to look from the bridge as well as at it.
For decorative detail
Pont Alexandre III rewards a slower look. The City of Paris describes its construction for the 1900 Universal Exhibition and its elaborate decorative lamps. It is an appealing subject for a riverside walk, even when a cruise is not on your schedule.
Keep the route realistic
Do not assume that a ticket passes every bridge mentioned here. Routes can vary with the experience and operating conditions. If a particular part of Paris is essential to your plans, check the current listing and ask the supplier before booking.
For more context, read our history of the Seine. For an evening built around the views, compare dinner cruise options and choose your walk once the departure location is confirmed.
See Paris’s bridges from the river on GetYourGuide
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