- History and visit Le Petit Pont in Paris
- Reconstruction of Le Petit Pont in Paris
- Transfer to LePetit Pont in Paris
History and visit Le Petit Pont in Paris
Bridges are among the constructions that abound most in the city of Paris. The Petit Pont, although small, has a long history that makes it a must-visit place. This arch bridge is located in the 4th and 5th arrondissements of Paris. Crossing the Seine, it connects the Quai de Montebello to the Rue de la Cité. It ends at the Rue de la Bûcherie and then opens onto the Rue Saint-Jacques. Measuring 41 m in length and 20 m in width, it includes two sidewalks each 4 m wide, flanking a roadway of 12 m. The Petit Pont is accessible by Balabus and lines No. 24 and 47 of the RATP bus, as well as by line 4 of the metro at Saint-Michel station and the RER C line at Saint-Michel station. Treat yourself to the most comfortable journey upon your arrival in Paris by choosing your private shuttle with driver to the Petit Pont from a professional team.
Throughout the history of the city of Paris, the Petit Pont is one of the first bridges to have been built, as mentioned by Julius Caesar and Emperor Julian. The latter referred to the area in the time of a boat with two oars, speaking of the Petit Pont and the Grand Pont. The first constructions of the Petit Pont, dating back to the Roman period of Lutetia, were replaced in 1394 by a structure built by the architect Raymond du Temple at the request of King Charles VI. At that time, Jews were fined in September following the assassination of a member who had converted to Catholicism. Their fines were used as funding for the completion of the work. When the bridge was completed, various assaults by nature eventually demolished it entirely. New work was again undertaken in 1409.
Reconstruction of Le Petit Pont in Paris
n the sixteenth century, a new book in four arches was proposed to rebuild the Petit Pont. Completed, the business experienced rapid change; many people became merchants of lace and fabrics. There was even a shop called “Three Croissants,” which was very famous throughout the city of Paris and throughout France. However, the new building could not withstand the successive floods of 1649, 1651, 1658, and 1659. In 1718, the Little Bridge collapsed due to a fire caused by two ships loaded with hay that drifted aflame. The fire also destroyed all the wooden houses built on the bridge. This dramatic event was so impressive that it was painted by Jean-Baptiste Oudry. This masterpiece is now preserved at the Musée Carnavalet in Paris.
A new stone bridge with three arched arches was built a year later. It presented a humpback shape, and its width was increased by six meters. Housing construction on the bridge was no longer permitted. However, the arches represented obstacles for boats and barges, as was the case with the double bridge. Both were replaced some time later. In the nineteenth century, architects Darcel and Lagalisserie built a bridge at this location with a single arch. The engineer and entrepreneur Alexander Michal Gariel took over the direction of the work. The building was made of a single arch with a 32 m span. The Little Bridge was opened to the public in 1853. The steps taken at that time were immortalized by the painter Joahn Barthold Jongkind.
Near the Petit Pont, one can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Promenade Maurice Carême, Viviani Square, Hotel-Dieu, the Prefecture of Police of Paris, and the Church of St. Severin.
Transfer to the Petit Pont in Paris
The Petit Pont in Paris, a historic landmark, is conveniently located at a distance of 19.1 miles (approximately 30.7 kilometers) from Orly Airport, making it an accessible destination for travelers arriving from this hub. For those landing at Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport, the Petit Pont is about 33.3 miles (roughly 53.6 kilometers) away, offering a straightforward route into the heart of Paris. Additionally, visitors coming from Beauvais Airport will find it located 101 kilometers away, providing a scenic drive into the city and towards this iconic bridge.