Pont au Change

The Pont au Change stands at a crossroads of Parisian history where money, tragedy, and architecture collided. Its name originates from a royal decree issued in the twelfth century by King Louis VII, who ordered all goldsmiths and money changers to operate their businesses exclusively from this span. This mandate turned the bridge into a bustling, crowded marketplace where the heavy weight of multi-story shops and homes eventually caused the structure to suffer through centuries of collapse, fire, and flood.