Pont de Bir-Hakeim, Steel and metro bridge in the 15th and 16th arrondissements, Paris, France
Pont de Bir-Hakeim is a two-level steel bridge with stone decoration that crosses the Seine River between the 15th and 16th districts. The lower deck handles car and pedestrian traffic, while the upper level carries Metro Line 6.
A metal footbridge built for the 1878 Exposition Universelle, the Passerelle de Passy, first crossed the Seine here; it was shifted 30 metres downstream in August 1903 to keep a crossing open during construction. The steel bridge by Louis Biette and Daydé & Pillé replaced it in 1905. On 18 June 1949, Charles de Gaulle inaugurated its renaming for the 1942 Battle of Bir Hakeim, fought by General Kœnig's Free French forces in Libya.
The bridge is a memorial to the Free French: a plaque mid-span recalls the Bir Hakeim battle of 27 May–11 June 1942, and the 1949 renaming ceremony was attended by General de Gaulle and General Kœnig. The central pedestrian strip was named promenade Jean-Paul-Belmondo in March 2023, after the actor filmed a scene on the viaduct's metro line.
The bridge is fully accessible whether you walk, drive, or take the Metro across it. You can enjoy views from either level, and the location provides a good vantage point to see the Seine and surrounding neighborhoods.
The location offers a direct sight line to the Eiffel Tower, which has made it a popular filming location for many famous movies. This same vantage point draws photographers and filmmakers from around the world.
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