Pont au Change, Road bridge in central Paris, France
The Pont au Change is a road bridge crossing the Seine that connects the 1st and 4th arrondissements and measures 103 meters long. The structure features three elliptical stone arches supporting an 18-meter wide roadway and two 6-meter wide sidewalks.
The bridge was built in 1860 under Napoleon III and replaced earlier structures going back to 872 when a fortified stone crossing stood at this location. This sequence of rebuilding reflects the continuous importance of this river crossing to the city's development.
The name comes from medieval goldsmiths and money changers who ran shops on earlier versions of this crossing. Today, visitors can still sense this trading heritage reflected in nearby street names and the bridge's position in what was once the commercial heart of Paris.
The bridge is open daily for both vehicle and pedestrian traffic, connecting Place du Chatelet with surrounding streets. Visitors should note that traffic here can be quite busy, especially during peak hours.
The bridge bears Napoleon's imperial N insignia carved by sculptor Cabat, which also appears on the nearby Pont Saint-Michel. This shared decoration connects the two bridges as works from the same construction period.
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