Pont Morland, Stone bridge in 10th arrondissement, France.
Pont Morland is a stone arch bridge spanning the Bassin de l'Arsenal, connecting Boulevard Morland with Quai de la Rapee. The structure measures about 50 meters long and accommodates both vehicular and pedestrian traffic between the neighborhoods near the Bastille.
Built in 1879, the bridge was constructed during Paris's transformation of its waterways under Napoleon III and the development of the Port de l'Arsenal. This project represented a major urban modernization effort that reshaped the infrastructure around the Bastille area.
The bridge takes its name from a colonel in Napoleon's military forces, linking the site to 19th-century French military heritage. This naming choice reflects how public spaces in Paris often honor military figures from that era.
The bridge is fully accessible to both vehicles and pedestrians, providing a direct crossing between two main streets bordering the Marais and Bastille areas. Foot traffic flows naturally along the bridge when approaching from either Boulevard Morland or Quai de la Rapee.
The bridge includes original floodgates that control water flow between the Canal Saint-Martin system and the Port de l'Arsenal. This engineering detail often goes unnoticed by visitors but demonstrates the sophisticated water management built into the city's infrastructure.
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