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.
The original bridge was destroyed by German forces in 1944, marking a turning point in Lyon's postwar rebuilding. Reconstruction of the current structure took place between 1947 and 1950 as part of the wider restoration of the city.
The bridge joins neighborhoods with distinct identities and shapes how people move between the districts on either bank. It serves as a daily crossing point where locals and visitors mix in the rhythm of the city.
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 stone facing the bridge comes from the same quarries that supplied materials for the Empire State Building in New York. This connection to a world-famous American structure often goes unnoticed by visitors walking across.
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