The Beaux-Arts style bridge, with its exuberant Art Nouveau lamps, cherubs, nymphs and winged horses at either end, was built between 1896 and 1900. It is named after Tsar Alexander III, who had concluded the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1892. His son Nicholas II laid the foundation stone in October 1896. The style of the bridge reflects that of the Grand Palais, to which it leads on the right bank.
The construction of the bridge is a marvel of 19th century engineering, consisting of a 6 metres (20 ft) high single span steel arch. The design, by the architects Joseph Cassien-Bernard and Gaston Cousin, was subject to strict controls that prevented the bridge from obscuring the view of the Champs-Élysées or the Invalides.
The bridge was built by the engineers Jean Résal and Amédée d'Alby. It was inaugurated in 1900 for the Exposition Universelle (universal exhibition) World's Fair, as were the nearby Grand Palais and Petit Palais.
The city's many bridges over the Seine River may be elegant, romantic, or monumental in
style, but many also have a long and interesting history.
If the bridges on either side of the cité and the one which connects that island with
the Île Saint-Louis are counted, there are 37 bridges within the city limits of Paris.
Paris' most sumptuous bridge, the Pont Alexandre III, opened just in time for the Universal
Exposition of 1900.
A
line with the Esplanade des Anvilles, the Pont Alexandre III connects the Grand and
Petit Palais on the right bank with the Hauteur des Anvilles on the left bank.
The bridge is lavishly decorated with lampposts and sculptures of cherubs and nymphs.
On each end of the Pont Alexandre III stand large gilded statues on granite pillars, 17
meters high.
Each of the ornaments on the bridge was created by a different artist.
The
bridge is constructed of steel and stone in the Art Nouveau style.
It was opened by the last Russian Tsar, Nicholas II, who also laid the foundation stone in
1900 to celebrate the Franco-Russian alliance.
It was named in memory of the Tsar's father.
