Pont Neuf

The Pont Neuf is the oldest standing bridge in Paris despite its name, which translates to the New Bridge. It earned this title in the early seventeenth century to distinguish it from the city's older, crowded medieval bridges that were choked with houses and shops. By contrast, this structure was a revolutionary urban project that left the span completely open to provide clear views of the river. It was the first bridge in Paris built entirely of stone, and its design intentionally prioritized the flow of traffic and the visual connection between the royal palaces of the time.