Pont des Arts

Constructed in 1804, the Pont des Arts was the first iron bridge thrown over the Seine. It is 510 feet long and possesses nine arches. Count them and you will find only eight. Some years ago, the road in front of the Institute was widened.

The ninth arch is under the road.

The Parisians were very proud of their pont des Arts in the early years. It was, and still is, only for foot passengers, who paid a sou to cross it, and for some time formed a fashionable evening promenade for the beau-monde; furnished with additional lamps and accomodated with chairs, it was then what the Grands Boulevards are to-day.

The damp night breeze from the river being found prejudicial to the health of the ladies was the cause of its being ultimately deserted. The sun is shining, the birds are singing.

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