Pont du Carrousel bridge in Paris



Sometimes referred to as the Pont du Louvre, but originally named the Pont des Saint-Peres, this is one of the many bridges over the River Seine, and the newer bridge was moved a few metres along with its four large statues, so as to make it in line with The Louvre Museum.

About Pont du Carrousel over the River Seine



The Pont du Carrousel is one of the many bridge in Paris, and the one you can see today was constructed between 1935 and 1939 directly in line with the entrance to the Musee du Louvre where the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel stands.
Pont du Carrousel and River Seine
However, when you look back at the history of Pont du Carrousel, you will find that the original bridge over the River Seine was originally located a few metres upstream and named the Pont des Saints-Peres after the street it met.

But getting back to the Pont du Carrousel today, it is now 33 metres in width and has three arches with the outer two being 36 metres and the middle arch being 42 metres, but is also higher than the previous one, so as navigating the river from both of these aspects was made easier.

The bridge arches and its piers are also made of reinforced concrete in complete contrast to the original of wood and iron, but the Pont du Carrousel has also dressed with quarried stone to make it look in keeping with its surroundings, especially with its location by the historical former palace.
This bridge in Paris also has the unique pillars that act as telescopic pylons for the unusual lighting system, which was designed so the lights could be raised from 13 metres in height up to 20 metres at night, however, due to the system being fragile, even after being repaired and overhauled, this lighting system is still current not working.

But another feature of the Pont du Carrousel bridge that you can discover are the four stone statues in Paris, which were designed by Louis Petitot as allegorical statues depicting Industry, Abundance, The City of Paris and The River Seine, which originate from the original bridge back in 1847, although the bases they sit on are more recent.

More recently, a Moroccan immigrant drowned after being pushed into the River Seine by the bridge, and so, in 2003 the French President, Bertrand Delanoe, honoured the memory of Brahim Bouarram and all victims of racism, by having a commemoration plaque placed on the Pont du Carrousel.
Pont du Carrousel statue
Pont du Carrousel Paris

Visiting Pont du Carrousel in Paris



You will find the Pont du Carrousel going over the River Seine from the Quai Voltaire in the 7th Arrondissement over to the Quai des Tuileries in the 1st Arrondissement of the city.

The next bridge downstream is the Pont Royal and the next upstream being the Pont des Arts, or Bridge of Love as it is often referred to with its many symbolic padlocks and love locks attached to it.

Now when it comes to getting to the Pont du Carrousel, the nearest Metro station is the Palais Royal - Musee du Louvre stop via lines 1 and 7, yet the nearest RER train station is the Musee d’Orsay stop via line C.  However, the Batobus water bus also has a dock close by, and some of the tours in Paris such as l’OpenTour bus tours stop nearby as well.