Passerelle des Arts is a beloved pedestrian bridge that connects the first and sixth arrondissements of Paris. Originally constructed in 1979, Passerelle was designed as a gleaming suspended garden, with a toll specifically to fund its maintenance.
However, after several decades of use Passerelle was deemed structurally unsound and was consequently closed to the public.
In 2015, Passerelle was fully rebuilt using modern materials such as steel and wood. The new bridge maintains Passerelle’s original design elements, including its unique curved shape and intricate metallic structure.
Today, Passerelle stands as a symbol of beauty and innovation not only for Parisians but also for visitors from all over the world. Whether you’re an art lover or simply looking for a scenic place to enjoy some downtime in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Passerelle des Arts is surely not to be missed.
The Passerelle des Arts is a pedestrian bridge in Paris, France. It connects the Louvre Museum and the Institut de France. The bridge was built in 1989 as part of an urban renewal project called “Paris Rive Gauche.” In addition to being a tourist attraction, it has also become a popular place for locals to spend time together or enjoy a romantic evening stroll.
Table of Contents
Location
The Passerelle des Arts is located in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, on the left bank of the Seine. It lies between the Louvre and Pont Royal and between Pont du Carrousel and Pont de l’Alma.
History
The Passerelle des Arts is a pedestrian bridge that connects the Louvre to the Institut de France. It was built in 1993, so you can imagine it has quite a history.
The bridge was constructed at a time when there was no pedestrian access to either museum from the Seine river. In fact, this was not true for any historic building on either side of this stretch of the waterway—it seems as if Parisians just weren’t allowed there! That changed when then-President François Mitterand decided to create access for tourists and visitors alike by building two bridges: one for cars, and one for pedestrians.
The Pont des Arts (as it’s also known) is now used by over five million people per year to cross over from one side of Paris’ River Seine to another!
Metro and RER Stations Nearby
The Passerelle des Arts is located in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, France. It’s a short walk from the Louvre Museum and Institut de France. If you want to visit this bridge, here are some metro and RER stations near it:
- RER A – Station Châtelet – Les Halles (3 minutes away)
- Metro station: Saint Paul (2 minutes away)
Fun Facts about Passerelle des Arts
- The passerelle des Arts is a pedestrian bridge that connects the Louvre to the Palais de Tokyo in the 13th arrondissement of Paris.
- It was built in 1993, and it is made of metal and wood.
- The bridge spans 350 meters long, with 6 lanes for pedestrians, 2 lanes for bikes and 3 lanes for cars and buses parked there at night.
- This bridge is open 24 hours a day—even during winter!
The Passerelle des Arts helps connect the Louvre to the Institut de France.
The Passerelle des Arts help sconnect the Louvre to the Institut de France. So, if you’re going for a stroll in Les Jardins du Luxembourg or Le Jardin du Carrousel and want to take a break at Place du Palais Royal, walk across the bridge to get there. If you’re visiting one of the museums and want to grab lunch at Café Marly , it’s just an elevator ride away!
If you’ve ever been near Paris’ Musée du Louvre (or even if you haven’t), then chances are good that you’ve seen this architectural marvel—and not just because it looks like something straight out of “Harry Potter.” It’s also notable because its construction required no fewer than 400 workers working 16 hours per day over five years. But wait: Did we mention that they did all this while maintaining 90% humidity levels? Talk about dedication!
Conclusion
Whether you are visiting Paris for the first time or have been there many times before, Passerelle des Arts is a great place to spend some time. This bridge is located near the Louvre and Institut de France museums on the Left Bank of the Seine River. The view from this bridge is amazing! You can easily walk across it in just a few minutes.