Pont Bonaparte, Stone-covered concrete bridge in central Lyon, France

Pont Bonaparte is a reinforced concrete bridge stretching 131 meters over the Saone River, supported by three arches and faced with local stone blocks. The roadway measures 12 meters wide with two sidewalks of approximately 4.5 meters each for pedestrian crossing.

A first wooden bridge, built by engineer Christophe Marie between 1634 and 1642, was repeatedly damaged by Saône floods. A stone bridge begun in 1786 under engineer Carron opened in 1807 as pont Tilsitt, with five arches of Villebois stone and a 148-metre crossing. Rebuilt in 1863-1864, it was dynamited by German forces in September 1944; the present bridge was built from 1946 to 1950 and named Pont Bonaparte by the municipal council on 27 January 1964.

The bridge links Bellecour and Saint-Jean, and its name honours Napoleon Bonaparte, though it was only given in 1964, twenty years after the German forces blew up its predecessor in September 1944. Look for the red and white flag on the left parapet and the tall grey lamppost.

The crossing is open to pedestrians and vehicles at all times, connecting the riverside promenades on both sides. There are no special restrictions, though it can get busy during peak hours when locals use it for daily commuting.

The bridge's facing stone is Hauteville limestone, a hard stone from the Ain. The 1946-1950 structure replaced the 1864 bridge, which German forces blew up in September 1944, destroying its arches and one pier. The current crossing was named Pont Bonaparte only on 27 January 1964 by municipal council decision.