One of the most beautiful bridges in Paris, the Pont Alexandre III, built to celebrate the strengthening of the diplomatic alliance between France and Russia

One of the most beautiful bridges in Paris, the Pont Alexandre III, was built to celebrate the strengthening of the diplomatic alliance between France and Russia. Incredibly costly, difficult to execute and superbly decorated, the Alexander Bridge remains to this day one of the principal sights of Paris.

Construction ran from 1896 to 1900, and the first stone was laid by Emperor Nicholas II in the presence of the French President, Félix Faure. The opening took place on the eve of the Paris World's Fair. In reply, the Trinity Bridge was laid down in Saint Petersburg, again with the participation of the President of the French Republic, and it was built by a French construction company.

The structure is of metal, 160 metres long and 40 metres wide. The bridge is distinguished by a great abundance of rich sculpture: nymphs, lions, cupids, Pegasuses, allegories of goddesses, ornamental lamps, and compositions with subjects from French history, from Charlemagne to the most recent times.

Report a translation error

At the close of the Strugatskys' "Roadside Picnic" the Golden Sphere is asked for this: "Happiness for everybody, free, and let nobody go away unsatisfied!" I do not promise to leave no one aggrieved, but the digest really does come free

At the close of the Strugatskys' "Roadside Picnic" the Golden Sphere is asked for this: "Happiness for everybody, free, and let nobody go away unsatisfied!" I do not promise to leave no one aggrieved, but the digest really does come free. So, here is the

Frederic Leighton

Frederic Leighton. “Daedalus and Icarus”, 1869 Daedalus warns his son not to climb too high: the heat of the sun may melt the wax, but Icarus is already gazing into the distance, and the lamentations of a foolish old man interest him not in the least

One of the most beautiful bridges in Paris, the Pont Alexandre III, built to celebrate the strengthening of the diplomatic alliance between France and Russia

Read more

At the close of the Strugatskys' "Roadside Picnic" the Golden Sphere is asked for this: "Happiness for everybody, free, and let nobody go away unsatisfied!" I do not promise to leave no one aggrieved, but the digest really does come free

Frederic Leighton

Attempts to resolve the problems of many years of uncontrolled mass migration

Characters from Gogol's "Petersburg Tales" on the pedestal of the monument to Nikolai Gogol on Nikitsky Boulevard, photograph of the 1960s