Bridges Across the Seine > Pont de Grenelle
Introduction to the bridge Pont de Grenelle
The Pont de Grenelle is a spectacular bridge that connects the 15th and 16th arrondissements while passing over the Île aux Cygnes, home to Paris's own Statue of Liberty replica. This unique three-way bridge configuration creates one of the most photographed and symbolic views in western Paris, where visitors can capture the French Statue of Liberty with the Eiffel Tower rising majestically in the background.
Constructed between 1874 and 1878, the bridge was designed by engineer Théophile Félix as part of the urban development projects that characterized the Third Republic. The bridge was built to serve the rapidly expanding residential districts in southwestern Paris, facilitating access to the Eiffel Tower area and the developing Passy district. The location was chosen specifically to connect these emerging neighborhoods with central Paris.
The bridge's name derives from the former village of Grenelle, which was incorporated into Paris in 1860 as part of the 15th arrondissement. Historically, Grenelle was known for its market gardens and agricultural activities that supplied fresh produce to central Paris. The area's transformation from rural farmland to urban residential district exemplifies the dramatic changes that swept Paris during the 19th century.
Architecturally, the Pont de Grenelle features five elegant stone arches that create a harmonious crossing over both the Seine River and the narrow Île aux Cygnes. The bridge spans 220 meters in total length with a width of 18 meters, providing adequate space for vehicular traffic and generous pedestrian walkways. The design intentionally maintains low proportions to preserve views of the Eiffel Tower from various vantage points along the Seine.
The bridge's most famous feature is its association with the 11.5-meter tall Statue of Liberty replica that stands on the Île aux Cygnes directly beneath it. This smaller version of Bartholdi's famous statue was gifted to France by American residents of Paris in 1889 and faces west toward its larger sister in New York Harbor. The juxtaposition of this symbol of French-American friendship with the Eiffel Tower creates one of Paris's most iconic photographic compositions.
From the Pont de Grenelle, visitors enjoy some of the most spectacular views in western Paris, with the Eiffel Tower dominating the skyline to the east and the modern skyscrapers of La Défense visible in the distance to the northwest. The bridge offers perfect vantage points for photographing the interplay between different eras of Parisian architecture and engineering, while the Seine flows peacefully below, reflecting the lights of the city and creating magical moments that capture the eternal beauty and international spirit of the French capital.