France is home to some of the most remarkable bridges in the world. Each has its own fascinating story and serves as a visual reminder of an important chapter in the country’s past.
You’ll find them in the larger cities like Paris as well as in the smallest of villages.
From artsy small villages to architectural cities, each bridge has its own charm and will surely be a great side trip on your French travels.
Most of the bridges are free and have nearby attractions worth visiting as well.
In this list, we have the top famous bridges in the French Republic. From the oldest arch ever built to the most modern suspension bridges, learn all about them here.
Table of Contents
1. Pont Alexandre III
Located across the Seine River, Pont Alexandre III is a deck arched bridge connecting Champs-Élysées and Les Invalides.
It is renowned for its explicit design and ornaments, including the Art Nouveau lamps and nymphs.
Each part of the bridge is designed for both beauty and purpose, such as the four magnificent pillars which also act as a counterweight.
2. Pont Ambroix
Although not entirely a bridge since its collapse, it’s one of the oldest bridges in the country and was built in the first century BC by Ancient Romans.
The bridge originally had eleven stone arches, but currently, only one is left. Nevertheless, it is still a spectacular bridge filled with history and surrounded by natural scenery.
3. Pont d’Aquitaine
Pont d’Aquitaine is a suspension bridge located in Bordeaux, with a total length of 1,776 meters and a width of 30.9 meters.
It was the first stone bridge in Bordeaux city and was constructed in 1967.
4. Pont d’Arc
Not man-made, but Pont D’Arc is a naturally formed bridge located in southern France. This natural bridge also forms an arch over the Ardèche River, which has become a favored attraction for water activities such as kayaking and canoeing.
It has a width of 59 meters and a height of 60 meters.
5. Pont d’Avignon
Pont d’Avignon, also known as Pont Saint-Bénézet, is a stone bridge with only four arches remaining from its 22 original.
It is located in Avignon, France, spanning 920 meters long and four meters wide. Today, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is visited by more than 300,000 people annually.
6. Pont d’Oxford
Spanning the Isère River is the Pont d’Oxford, a cable-stayed bridge located in Grenoble.
This bridge was named after its twin town, Oxford, in the UK. Getting to the bridge is accessible via bus or light train.
7. Pont Neuf
Pont Neuf is the oldest stone bridge and the third-longest bridge in Paris, crossing the Seine River.
Construction for the bridge started in 1578 and was completed in 1607. Moreover, it was the first innovative bridge built to use walkways for crossings.
8. Pont des Arts
Also known as the Bridge of Arts, Pont des Arts connects the Institute of France and the Louvre Museum.
It is a pedestrian metal bridge built in the 19th century and is about 133 meters long and 11 meters wide.
The bridge used to be a romantic site where lovelocks are bound. However, due to weight constraints, the locks needed to be removed.
9. Pont de Bir-Hakeim
Built in the 20th century, Pont de Bir-Hakeim is a two-decker steel bridge, where the upper deck is used for the metro and the lower deck for motors and bicycles.
It crosses the Seine River, covering 237 meters in length. From the bridge, visitors have a fantastic view of the Eiffel Tower.
10. Pont de Normandie
Pont de Normandie is another cable-stayed bridge across the Seine River, which serves as a bridge for Normandy and Le Havre.
It is 2,143 meters long and 215 meters tall. Aside from vehicles, the bridge is also used for walking and cycling.
11. Pont de Pierre
In translation, Pont de Pierre means stone or mason bridge since it is made of bricks. It was constructed in 1819 and was finished in 1822 with a 487-meter length and 19-meter width.
The bridge was the first stone bridge built as a connector between the left and right sides of the Garonne River.
12. Pont du Diable
Located over the Hérault river, Pont du Diable is one of the most famous “devil bridges” in France.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the early 11th century by Benedictine monks.
To see the majestic views of the bridge and its surrounding landscapes, take a river cruise and then dip into the waters on the nearby beaches.
13. Pont du Gard
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Pont du Gard is among France’s most-visited bridges.
The bridge is one of the best examples of well-preserved Roman architecture, with a height of 49 meters and a total of 52 arches.
It weighs about 50,000 tons and took five years to complete.
14. Pont Jacques Chaban Delmas
Designed as a vertical-lift bridge or a movable bridge ascending vertically, Pont Jacques Chaban Delmas is another fascinating modern bridge that opened in 2013.
Pont Jacques Chaban Delmas is considered the longest lift bridge ever built in Europe, making it a fine example of modernity in urban cities.
It is found near Pont d’Aquitaine and the Pont de Pierre and is also best appreciated in the evening for its attractive lights.
15. Pont Julien
Another example of Roman architecture, Pont Julien is a stone arch bridge that was constructed in 3 BC.
Today, it is only used for pedestrians and cyclists and not vehicles, in order to preserve its structure from further damage.
The bridge can be found around Bonnieux, Vaucluse, France.
16. Pont Valentré
Pont Valentré is located in Cahors, France, and was built in 1308. It is a stone arch bridge with six arches and three tower chambers.
In 1998, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One unique feature of the bridge is the devilish statue, which is believed to be about a story of a man who made a deal with the devil in order to build the bridge faster.
17. Pont-Vieux d’Albi
Pont-Vieux d’Albi or Albi’s Pont Vieux is known as the Old Medieval Bridge. Passing through the bridge promises spectacular scenery of nearby attractions, including Sainte-Cécile Cathedral and Berbie Palace.
It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significant history since 1040. The bridge is located in Albi, France crossing over Tarn.
18. Basse-Chaîne Bridge
The Basse-Chaîne Bridge used to be called the Angers Bridge. The Angers Bridge was a suspension bridge over the Maine River that collapsed in 1850.
Today, it was replaced by a new bridge that was built in 1960 and is now called Basse-Chaîne Bridge or Pont de la Basse-Chaîne
19. Briare Aqueduct
One of the most unique and multipurpose bridges in the world, the Briare Aqueduct carries the Canal Latéral à la Loire and also serves as a walkway for pedestrians.
It is a charming bridge with grand lamp posts and intricate statues. Construction for the bridge began in 1890 and took about six years to complete.
20. Bridge of La Charité-sur-Loire
Located in the port of La Chapelle-Montlinard, the Bridge of La Charité-sur-Loire is one of the oldest bridges in France and was built in 1520.
Take a stroll along the bridge on foot or ride a bike while admiring the views from both sides.
From the bridge, you can reach the old town just 2.5-kilometers away.
21. Chavanon Viaduct
Located in Chavanon Valley, the Chavanon Viaduct is a mono-cable suspension bridge that has served the towns of Messeix and Merlines since 2000.
Its construction started in 1997 and is part of the A 89 Motorway. Moreover, it is the third-longest suspension bridge in France with a length of 300 meters.
22. Gignac Bridge
The Gignac Bridge finished construction in 1810 and has been a protected historical monument since the 1950s.
It is a vaulted arch road bridge located in Gignac, Hérault, Occitanie, France. One interesting aspect of the bridge is its ornamental tablet, which writes “Judged the most beautiful bridge of the 18th century.”
23. The Fades Viaduct
Located in Puy-de-Dôme, the Fades Viaduct is a majestic railway viaduct with a height of 132 meters that was once the tallest bridge in the world.
The bridge opened in 1909 and is now the 10th tallest railway viaduct worldwide.
24. Guétin Canal Bridge
Guétin canal bridge carries the Loire Canal over the Allier River for 343 meters in length. It is also a masonry semi-circular arch bridge built in 1837, located in Cuffy and next to the Le Guétin Bridge.
25. Millau Viaduct
Millau Viaduct is a marvelous, cable-stayed bridge located in Creissels, France. It is the tallest bridge in the world with an impressive height of 343 meters tall.
The bridge is loved and recognized for its impeccable design and engineering which costs about 310 million euros to complete.
26. Old Bridge in Béziers
The Old Bridge is located in Béziers, southern France, from where you’ll also get a glimpse of the French town and Saint-Nazaire Cathedral.
The rolled arch bridge traverses the Orb River with a total length of 241,46 meters. It was reformed several times in the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries.
27. Orb Canal Bridge
Another aqueduct in Béziers is the Orb Canal bridge, which spans 240 meters long, 28 meters wide, and 12 meters high.
The canal bridge was opened in 1858 and has been a historical site since 1996.
28. Plougastel Bridge
Originally used as a road and railway bridge, the Plougastel Bridge is now only used for cyclists and pedestrians.
It is a deck arch bridge that finished construction in 1930. Today, the bridge is a used course by the Paris–Brest–Paris cycling event.
29. Saint-Jean Bridge
Located in a quiet town, Verdun-sur-le-Doubs, the Saint-Jean Bridge offers splendid views of the picturesque town.
Plus, this medieval bridge is also best enjoyed by going on a river cruise.
30. Viaduc de Garabit
Situated in southern France over the Truyère River, Viaduc de Garabit is a bridge designed by renowned architect Gustave Eiffel, the man who also designed the Eiffel Tower.
It is an iron railway bridge with a 565-meter length and parabolic arches. The construction of the bridge began in 1882 and was completed in two years.
