Audio GuideAlma's bridge

Pont de l'Alma is a bridge crossing the River Seine in Paris. Built in the mid-nineteenth century, specifically between eighteen fifty-four and eighteen fifty-six, it was originally designed as an arch bridge to commemorate a victory in the Crimean War. Commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III, it takes its name from the Battle of Alma, a significant moment during that conflict.

Fred Booker

The original design included military statues ornately displayed on its supports, one of which, a Zouave, became well-known to locals. This statue has historically been used to gauge the rise of the Seine during floods. Over time, as traffic increased and the initial construction settled, it was necessary to rebuild the bridge. Between nineteen seventy and nineteen seventy-four, it was transformed into a girder bridge, extending to one hundred and fifty-three metres in length and forty-two metres in width.

Rafal Biegacz

The vicinity of Pont de l'Alma is also associated with a sombre event from the late twentieth century. In nineteen ninety-seven, Princess Diana lost her life in a car crash near the entrance to the Pont de l'Alma tunnel. The nearby monument, the Flame of Liberty, now serves as an informal tribute to her memory.

Whether your interest lies in history, art, or local culture, Pont de l'Alma offers valuable insights into Parisian life.