Pont de Bir-Hakeim

The pont de Bir-Hakeim in Paris crosses the River Seine at the eastern end of the Ile aux Cygnes and connects the cities 15th and 16th arrondissements (suburbs).  

Built between 1903 and 1905 to replace an earlier bridge, the structure was originally known at pont de Passy but it was renamed in 1948 to commemorate the Battle of Bir-Hakeim when Free French forces fought against the German Afrika Korps in 1942, helping to turn the tide of the war in North Africa and causing the Free French to be known at the Fighting French after the battle. 

Pont de Bir-Hakeim is on two levels.  The lower level is for cars and pedestrians, while the upper level carries Line 6 of the Paris Metro.

Just in front of the arch on the end of the Ile de Cygnes is a statue of a figure astride a horse with a sword held out in front.  This monument was once meant to represent Joan of Arc, but was changed, and inaugurated with the name of Monument de la France Renaissante. The statue is by Danish artist Holger Wederkinch and was cast in 1948 in Malakoff before being donated to the City of Paris.

The bridge is decorated with monumental iron sculptures and statues. In the central arch of the bridge are featured four high-relief statues: figures of Science and Labor by Jules-Felix Coutan (upstream), and Electricity and Commerce by Jean Antoine Injalbert (downstream).

Under the metro viaduct is a pedestrian walkway and cycle path flanked by the iron pillars on each side.  On the outside of the pillars are lamps that hang down from the viaduct.

For more information on the pont de Bir-Hakeim CLICK HERE

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PLEASE SUPPORT THIS BLOG BY VISITING THE ADVERTISERS ON THIS PAGE

By clicking on the adverts you are helping support this blog - thank you.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ALL IMAGES ARE THE PROPERTY OF MACLEAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AND CANNOT BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION

MacLean Photographic run Tours and Workshops in East Lothian and the Borders of Scotland.  CLICK HERE for more details and availability

Jeff Carter is was recently named as a Fujifilm brand ambassador and you can view his profile and gallery on the Fujifilm website HERE

If you like what you see on this blog please visit our Facebook page and click 'like'