View of Eiffel Tower from Pont Alexander III

VIEW OF EIFFEL TOWER FROM PONT ALEXANDER III is a digital photograph by Carla Parris, showing a view of the Seine river and the EiffelTower, beyond,... more

by Carla Parris

Title

View of Eiffel Tower from Pont Alexander III

Artist

Carla Parris

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photograph

Description

VIEW OF EIFFEL TOWER FROM PONT ALEXANDER III is a digital photograph by Carla Parris, showing a view of the Seine river and the EiffelTower, beyond, from the beautiful, ornate Pont Alexander III bridge in central Paris.

Many people consider the Pont Alexandre III the most beautiful Parisian bridge. Connecting the Grand and Petit Palais, on the right bank, and the Hotel des Invalides, on the left bank, it is certainly the city's most ornate, extravagantly decorated bridge.

The historic bridge was named after Russian Tsar Alexandre III to commemorate the Franco-Russian Alliance signed in 1892. His son Nicholas II laid the foundation stone in October 1896.

(Interestingly, in the same political spirit, the Trinity Bridge in Saint Petersburg is a memorial to the Franco-Russian Alliance. It was designed by Gustave Eiffel, and its first stone was laid in 1897 by French president Felix Faure.)

Designed by architects Resal and Alby, the Pont Alexander III was constructed between 1896 and 1900 for the Universal Exposition of 1900, which took place on both sides of the Seine. It was built in the exuberant Beaux-Arts style.

On each end, there are large gilded statues on granite pillars which are not only beautiful, but also structurally important, serving as counterweights to the bridge. Along the bridge, there are lavish Art Nouveau lampposts.

On both sides of the bridge, at the center of the arches over the Seine, there are beautiful hammered copper statues executed over reliefs by Georges Recipon. These Nymph reliefs are memorials to the Franco-Russian alliance.

The relief on the side looking towards the Eiffel Tower (the "Nymphs of the Seine") symbolizes the French side of the Alliance. It features two nymphs of the Seine (one pictured here) and a golden ship, which is part of the Parisian coat of arms.

The relief on the other side of the bridge (the "Nymphs of the Neva") represents the Russian side of the Alliance. It depicts two nymphs of the Russian river Neva on either side of a golden version of the coat of arms of Imperial Russia.

It is a lovely experience to wander across the famous bridge, enjoying wonderful views of Paris in every direction!

Uploaded

November 25th, 2014