Paris1972-Versailles2003

Oh yes a memorable passage for many years and had more on the metro station than on the bridge until now. It is always great uplifting mode to do places where in addtion to visits had worked nearby on my partners’s office ; great memories of my travels and family visits. Therefore, let me tell you about the Pont Bir-Hakeim of Paris !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.

The Pont Bir-Hakeim bridge, formerly the Passy viaduct, on two levels, with a length of 247 meters and a width of 25 meters, was built between 1903 and 1905. The bridge connects the Quai Branly and the Quai de Grenelle on the left bank to avenue du Président Kennedy on the right bank after crossing the northern tip of Île aux Cygnes. A central section, 12 meters high, cantilevers over the bridge; it has two levels: one for pedestrians and cars, and a viaduct above that carries metro line 6;(see pic), The railway viaduct is supported by metal columns, except at the Île aux Cygnes (Swan Island) end, where it rests on a masonry arch. The railway viaduct is horizontal, while the road descends from the left bank to the right bank, resulting in an uneven gap between the two lanes. A cycle path runs beneath the railway viaduct. Stairs in the middle of the bridge provide access to Île aux Cygnes , a long promenade leading to the Grenelle Bridge and the replica of the Statue of Liberty.(see post) It is adorned with four monumental stone bas-relief statues located on the central arch of the viaduct, at the Île aux Cygnes: La Science et Le Travail (Labor) by Jules Coutan upstream; Electricity and Commerce by Jean-Antoine Injalbert downstream. On the upstream side, at the roadway level belvédère Susan-Travers (Susan-Travers viewpoint), the statue “Reborn France” by Holger Wederkinch was donated by the Danish community of Paris in 1930. The piers are adorned with two sculptural groups by Gustave Michel, closely integrated into the framework: “Les Naute ” (the Boatmen) equipped with maritime accessories (net, buoy, sail, etc.), who attach a coat of arms of the city of  Paris to the pier, and ” Les Forgerons-riveteurs,” ( The Riveting Blacksmiths) who affix an RF (République Française) coat of arms to the pier. These groups are reproduced identically on both branches of the Seine, upstream and downstream

The Bir-Hakeim bridge, has two floors, one for automobile traffic, the other for metro traffic. The lower level has two 6 meters wide road lanes, separated by an 8.70 meters promenade as well as two 2 meters wide sidewalks. The upper level is reserved for the passage of metro line No. 6 Nation-Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile. In 1949, it was renamed Pont Bir-Hakeim in memory of a French victory over the Nazis, won in Libya. Previously there was a metal pedestrian bridge at this location, the Passy footbridge, built for the Universal Exhibition in 1878. It is located upstream of the Rouelle bridge and downstream of the Iéna bridge. The Pont de Bir-Hakeim bridge, bears a plaque in memory of the battle: in Bir-Hakeim from May 27 to June 11, 1942 ;the First brigade of the Free French Forces pushes the furious assaults of two enemy divisions and tells the world that France has never stopped fighting.

A monumental portico, on Île aux Cygne island, separates the Bir-Hakeim bridge into two parts. It is decorated with sculptures by Jules Coutan , allegorical bas-reliefs upstream representing Science and Work as well as Jean-Antoine Injalabert  representing  Electricity and Commerce, downstream. Two cast iron groups sculpted by Gustave Michel adorn the masonry piers: the blacksmiths riveurs and the Nautes. The Île aux Cignes is 850 meters long and 11 meters wide, is a strip of artificial land built in 1827 in the middle of the Seine river, between the 15éme and 16éme arrondissements/districts. Along its entire length and on both sides, the island is bordered by an avenue of trees, called Allée des Cygnes. The island supports three bridges, which connect the left bank to the right bank of Paris including the Bir Hakeim bridge.

The monument La France renaissante or Reborn France is a bronze equestrian statue located on the Île aux Cygnes (Swan Island) and the Pont Bir-Hakeim Bridge. Created by the Danish artist Holger Wederkinch in 1930, it was donated to the City of Paris by the Danish community; its installation took place in 1958. This statue stands in the center of the Belvédère Susan-Travers, a small square situated between the two banks of the Seine, corresponding to the upstream tip of the Île aux Cygnes, from which it is separated by the Bir-Hakeim Bridge, and which also serves as a viewpoint overlooking the Eiffel Tower. Although located on the border between two arrondissements, the 16éme and 15éme, it is administratively attached to the latter. The Reborn France is a 4.5-meter-high bronze statue. It depicts a female warrior in chainmail, wearing a helmet surrounded by a halo. The heroine rides a spirited steed whose four feet are together, and whose muzzle and tail are raised, accentuating the impression of movement. The rider’s foot presses against the horse’s stifle. In her right hand, she brandishes a sword with a wavy blade, while her other hand holds a banner whose pennant flies above the horse’s tail.

The Promenade d’Italie extends over the left bank between the Quai Branly and the Seine, it begins at the height of the Pont d’Iéna near the Eiffel Tower. to end at the Bir-Hakeim bridge. Near this last bridge stands a monument to the memory of Diego Brosset and the Free French Forces and further north a bust of Count de la Pérouse. The Pont Bir-Hakeim bridge, due to its location but especially thanks to its architecture, has become the darling of tourists and artists. We find it hard to count the many times it has appeared in films ; from Last Tango in Paris in 1972 (my blog’s name see/read) to the famous Inception in 2010 and in video clips from the American singer Janet Jackson to the Japanese Ayumi Hamasaki. All that is missing is a palme d’or (Cannes film festival award) for the recognition to be complete !!!

A bit of history tell us that the Pont Bir-Hakeim history begins in 1878, during the third Universal Exhibition in Paris, held on the Champ de Mars from May to October. A metal footbridge, reserved for pedestrians, was built between the 15éme and 16éme arrondissements, anchored to the small Île aux Cygnes (Swan Island). Construction work carried out between 1903 and 1906 resulted in the bridge as we know it today. With two levels, it allowed cars and pedestrians to cross on the first level and subway trains on the second. A favorite with passersby and couples alike, who can’t resist capturing their wedding day in front of its famous arches. During the summer of 2020, the Pont Bir-Hakeim Bridge underwent a facelift. New masonry and a fresh coat of paint restored this iconic bridge to its former glory. The name come from a place in the northern Libyan desert, where a decisive battle took place around a watering hole called Bir Hakeim. On the night of June 10-11, 1942, the Free French Forces, led by General Koenig, managed to break through the ranks of the Afrika Korps, the Italian and German motorized armies commanded by Erwin Rommel. This victory allowed the British to regain the upper hand and win the First Battle of El Amein a month later.

The Paris tourist office on the Pont Bir-Hakeim: https://parisjetaime.com/eng/transport/pont-de-bir-hakeim-p1880

The City of Paris on the pont Bir Hakeim : https://www.paris.fr/pages/le-pont-bir-hakeim-retrouve-une-seconde-jeunesse-cet-ete-8169

The Paris tourist office on the Île aux Cygnes: https://parisjetaime.com/eng/culture/ile-aux-cygnes-p1743

There you go folks, a dandy must see and in a great spot near the Eiffel tower ,a magical corner of eternal Paris. It brings back many memories each time see visit love it, Again, hope you have enjoy the post on the pont Bir-Hakeim !!! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!