Pont de l'Alma, Road bridge over Seine river in Paris, France
The bridge spans 153 meters across the Seine with a width of 42 meters, linking the 7th, 8th, and 16th arrondissements of Paris. The current structure rests on low abutments and features steel girders that allow an open view of the river below.
Napoleon III inaugurated the original structure in 1856 to commemorate the Battle of Alma during the Crimean War of 1854. Between 1970 and 1974, the old stone arch design was completely replaced by a modern steel girder bridge.
The remaining Zouave statue on the bridge functions as a reference point for Parisians to measure the Seine water levels during floods. When the river reaches the statue's feet, authorities close the riverside walkways and implement additional safety measures for boat traffic.
Metro line 9 at Alma-Marceau station and RER line C at Pont de l'Alma station provide direct access to both sides of the Seine. Wide sidewalks accommodate pedestrians and cyclists, with views toward the Eiffel Tower upstream particularly clear during daylight hours.
Four allegorical soldier statues once adorned the original bridge, but only the Zouave remained after reconstruction. The other three figures were relocated to other sites in France, including La Fère and Dijon, where they stand today.
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