A stay in Paris, exploring the capital’s bridges

Paris is famous not only for the Eiffel Tower, but also for its many bridges, canals and footbridges.

These constructions, a veritable historical heritage, should definitely be explored during any stay in Paris. Summer is the ideal time of year to visit the Parisian bridges. The warmer weather will let you take full advantage of your visit.

So what are you waiting for? Book your hotel in Paris now and set off to discover the city’s bridges! From the most famous to the least-known…

Exploring the bridges and footbridges over the Seine

There are precisely 37 bridges crossing the Seine in Paris. These constructions have inspired many artists. For example, here are a few lines from Guillaume Apollinaire’s poem, Mirabeau Bridge:

‘Under the Mirabeau Bridge the river slips away
And our loves
Must I be reminded
Joy came always after pain’.

Some of the 37 bridges are for use by pedestrians only. Once you have booked your three-star hotel in Paris, be sure not to miss them.

  • The Passerelle Simone-de-Beauvoir, built between 2004 and 2006. This is the 37th bridge, so the most recent of all. Served by the Quai de la Gare metro station, it spans over 300 metres and connects the 12th and 13th arrondissements.

  • The Pont Saint-Louis, connecting Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint-Louis. You can get to this bridge from the Cité metro station.

  • The Pont au Double, built between 1881 and 1883. It connects the parvis of Notre-Dame Cathedral to Ile de la Cité. The Pont au Double was built in response to a desire, dating from 1515, to allow the sick to get to the hospital.

  • The Pont des Arts, famous for its love locks, until last June, at least.
    Accessible from the Louvre-Rivoli metro station, this bridge was built between 1981 and 1984. From 2008 until June 2015, lovers from all over the world came here to fasten on padlocks, as proof of their love; and then they would throw the keys into the Seine.

  • The Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor, connecting the Port de Solférino to the Port des Tuileries. This footbridge used to be known as the Passerelle Solférino, and it can be reached from the Solfériono station. It was renamed in 2006, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the writer whom it is named after.

  • The Passerelle Debilly, also part of the city’s historical heritage, opened in 1900. By public transport, the station you need is Iéna. This footbridge connects Paris’s 7th and 12th arrondissements.

Keen to find out more? Then pay a visit to this website which will help you plan your outing and decide which bridges to visit.

The Parisian canals from your three-star hotel in Paris

Apart from the ones mentioned, there are also various bridges and footbridges across the canals in the French capital. Indeed, the canals are part of the city’s charm:

  • The Ourcq Canal (there is a footbridge from Villette Park; alternatively, tram line 3B takes you across the road bridge over the canal);
  • The Darse du Fond de Rouvray Canal (pedestrian swing bridge);
  • The Bassin de la Villette (footbridge over the Villette lock, and the Moselle Footbridge);
  • The Saint-Martin Canal (swing bridge on Rue Dieu, Douanes Footbridge…);
  • The Bassin d’Arsenal (Morland Bridge, Mornay Footbridge…)

Set off from La Villa Modigliani, your three-star hotel in Paris, and explore the city’s many footbridges. Book your Paris hotel here and get ready to discover these constructions.