Pont Alexander is among the most beautiful and opulent bridges on the Seine, with the Grand Palais and Petit Palais on one side and Invalides on the other. It was built between 1896 and 1900, to coincide with the construction of the Grand Palais and Petit Palais for the 1900 Universal Exhibition. Named after Tsar Alexander II concluding the Franco-Russian alliance in 1892, it was designed by architects Joseph Cassien-Bernard and Gaton Cousin and built by engineers Jean Résal and Amédée d'Alby.
The four marvelous gilt bronze statues of Fames are perched on top 17 meter stone columns. The two Right Bank statues are Renommée des Sciences ("Fame of the Sciences") and the Renommée des Arts ("Fame of the Arts") both by Emannuel Frémiet and on the Left Bank are the Renommée du Commerce ("Fame of Commerce") by Pierre Granet and the Renommée de l'Industrie ("Fame of Industry") by Clément Steiner. At the center of the the bridge are the hammered copper statues of the Nymphs of the Seine and the arms of France correspond with the Nymphs of Neva by Georges Récipon.
It was a gray, blustery day when I took these photos on and around the bridge, with a wee bit of sun shining through making a subtle pink hue on the sky.
In addition to my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, we now offer Eye Prefer New York Tours, 3-hour walking tours of New Yorkís best neighborhoods including Soho, Meatpacking/West Village & Tribeca. Tours cost $195 for up to 3 people and $65 for each additional person.Come take a bit of the Big Apple on an Eye Prefer New York Tour!
Come experience my blog ìliveî with my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I lead. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris. www.eyepreferparistours.com
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
These photos are just beautiful--that touch of pink in the sky really is wonderful! I love the aesthetics of this bridge---but my Parisian bridge-designer boyfriend (back in college) told me that the one span construction makes it the least well built bridge on the river.....I don't care! I should forward this to him!! Thanks!
Posted by: Cheryl | March 10, 2011 at 06:43 PM
Thanks, Richard, for the lovely pictures of "my" bridge in Paris! This bridge and le Eiffel Tour are my favorites!!
Posted by: Nelda | March 10, 2011 at 08:04 PM
Your photos of Pont Alexander are exquisite!
Posted by: Cynthia | March 10, 2011 at 08:08 PM
May I join the 'louanges' for your magnificent photos on display Richard?! Really, really exquisite and brilliant. Thank You.
Tried a few times to add you to my 'blog' section and failed; won't ever know why but this is the reason you haven't heard from me for a while. Now mysteriously all worked fine and we are connected again!!!! :)
Posted by: Kiki | March 11, 2011 at 04:31 PM