| Pont de Bir-Hakeim | |
|---|---|
| The western part of the bridge at night | |
| Crosses | The Seine River |
| Locale | Paris, France |
| Next upstream | Pont d'Iéna |
| Next downstream | Pont Rouelle |
The pont de Bir-Hakeim, formerly the pont de Passy, is a bridge that crosses the Seine River in Paris, France. It connects the city's 15th and 16th arrondissements, and passes through the île aux Cygnes.
The bridge, made of steel, is the second to have stood at the site. It was constructed between 1903 and 1905, replacing an earlier bridge that had been erected in 1878. An arch bridge, it is 237 metres (777 ft) long and 24.7 metres (81 ft) wide.
It was designed by the architect Jean-Camille Formigé, who also designed the Viaduc d'Austerlitz, the greenhouses of Auteuil, and the park below the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur, and restored the Roman amphitheater in Arles and the Roman theater in Orange.
The bridge has two levels: one for motor vehicles and pedestrians, and a viaduct (the "viaduc de Passy") above, through which passes Line 6 of the Paris Métro. The railway viaduct is supported by metal colonnades, except where it passes over the île aux Cygnes, where it rests on a masonry arch. Many commemorative plates decorate the viaduct bridge, including several dedicated to soldiers fallen in Belgium during the Second World War.
In addition, the central arch of the viaduct, at the level of the island, is decorated with four monumental stone statues in Alto-relievo: figures of Science and Labor by Jules-Felix Coutan, and Electricity and Commerce by Jean Antoine Injalbert.
The road level of the bridge extends out in a belvedere where it passes over the île aux Cygnes which covers the eastern end of the island. Here stands a statue named La France renaissante.
Originally named the pont de Passy (after the former commune of Passy, which it reaches), it was renamed in 1948 to commemorate the Battle of Bir Hakeim, fought by Free French forces against the German Afrika Korps in 1942.
Many movies have featured this bridge including Ascenseur pour l'échafaud, Zazie dans le Métro, Last Tango in Paris, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, and Inception. It also features in Janet Jackson's music video "Come Back To Me."
Gallery
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The pont de Bir-Hakeim is located at the northern tip of the île aux Cygnes.
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View of bridge from the island Île aux Cygnes.
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The central arch with the statue "La France renaissante" of Holger Wederkinch.
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The iron sculptures of Gustave Michel.
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The Paris Metro crossing the Seine River on the Pont de Bir-Hakeim.
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The colonnade of the viaduct.
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Street lights and the colonnade of the viaduct.
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See also
- Listing of the work of Jean Antoine Injalbert-French sculptor