June 07, 2007

Pont Alexandre III

A lot of temporary and permanent buildings were constructed for the 1900 Universal Exhibition in Paris. Among the permanent ones you can mention Grand Palais and its neighbour Petit Palais, which actually both have been recently “freshened up” and are still used for exhibitions of all kinds. From the Grand and Petit Palais you can cross the Seine River on your way to the Invalides, using the Pont Alexandre III, a magnificent bridge, named after the father of the last Russian emperor, Nicolas II and also built to be ready for the 1900 Universal Exhibition. Also the bridge has been “freshened up” - a couple of years ago - with a lot of paint and gold and it looks today as new.


You can find the original photos from this patchwork on my other site - "Peter - photos".

27 comments:

sonia a. mascaro said...

Superb photos, Peter! What a wonderful place you live in!

Thanks for the visit and nice comment about Clothesline in Venice. Me too, I want to be there!

Shionge said...

Yo Peter...it is 8.30 am here in Singapore and you are still up over there in Paris :)

Yes I been on this bridge and wonderful sight indeed.....through your blog I'm in Paris everyday heheh

Keshi said...

how beautiful!

Keshi.

Olivier said...

ce pont est magnifique, il est d'une beautée. et il offre une superbe vue.

Pour repondre à ton commentaire sur mon theme de la journee : oui ce n'est pas du papier recycle et en plus ce que je trouve le plus debile, c'est de venir distribuer des kilos de prospectus juste devant les stands des etudiants (qui sont là pour prevenir la surconsommation et l'envahissement des prospectus dans notre vie, etc....). cela prouve que les politques s'en foutent, et pour moi C'est aussi cela la surconsommation.

Dina said...

very beautiful.

alice said...

I agree with Olivier, the view from this bridge is wonderful. On your first pic, the stone seems to be blue...

alice said...

Oh, j'oubliais: thank you, Peter, for your nice words yesterday for "my" birthday, j'apprécie vraiment. Bonne journée!

black feline said...

i like the opulent barosque style...lots of gold...

Cergie said...

Celà m'entraîne vers le pont Charles de Pragues qui enjambe la Vtlava (Moldau), et ses magnifiques statues dorées
Tout ce qui brille attire irrésistiblement comme si nous étions des pies voleuses
L'or remplace le soleil
C'est l'amatrice de beauté qui parle aujourd'hui

Cergie said...

Ceci dit, le ciel de Paris est léger et magnifique
C'est autre chose que celui de Shangai que j'ai eu hélas

Mona said...

Ah1 such lovely sculpture!
France has always been sucha tour de force and such an avante grade for the artistic movements!!

I love art..I love france & her elegance!!

Peter said...

Thanks for all comments so far, but did anybody notice the Eiffel Tower on my top photo?

Olivier said...

Ma reponse n'etait pas une attaque sur toi, je comprends tres bien ce que tu as voulu dire (pas de probleme) je trouve juste aberrant l'utilisation que l'on fait du papier, surtout niveau prospectus politique, je sais que cela ne changerait pas grand chose de les faire en papier recylcle, mais je trouve que ce serait un GESTE important de la part des politiques (surtout pour des prospectus, que personne (ou presque) ne lis)

GMG said...

Hi Peter,
It’s a holiday today, so I’m blogging! A chef-d'oeuvre that somehow phallic first picture... The Alexander is one of my favourite Seine bridges and you show why! Also loved the post on Jeanne; I’ve never been to Rouen, but now I know where to stop by…
Take care
Gil

di.di said...

Stumbling upon these photos was jarring. i want to be there!!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful and very impressing. There is no other city that keeps its buildings in such a good condition.

Emilieee said...

The bridge is certainly magnificent! I couldn't imagine it was builted in 1900. A hundred over years since then but it's still looking well kept. BY the way, yea, I have 40 surveys to go. :( Means that there were only 10 surveys had been done so far. I wonder how long I should wait until the 50th.

:((

Peter said...

As you can see, emily linn needs help with a survey (easy job to fill in). Please check on her blog!!

Anonymous said...

La première photo est absolument géniale. En arrivant sur votre blog, c'est elle que j'ai vue en premier et je me suis dit, tiens il est allé photographier des vases en porcelaine. La Tour Eiffel derrière est absolument magnifique. J'aime les ponts parce qu'ils symbolisent la réunion entre deux terres, entre les hommes. Et connaissez-vous la chanson d'Yves Duteil "le petit pont de bois"? Le pont de la chanson est moins majestueux que le vôtre en photo mais j'aime bien la chanson. Merci pour ces leçons d'histoire. A bientôt

Peter said...

delphinium:
Merci pour tes compliments!
Oui, je connais la chanson -
"... et j'ai refait en pierre, le petit pont de bois... Pour aller nulle part, et pourtant j'en suis fier..."

Ash said...

Beautiful images. Particularly love the first one...love the detail and the subtle lighting.

lyliane six said...

Le pont Alexandre III, le plus beau de Paris, mais les statues sont recouvertes de vraies feuilles d'or et non de dorures. De plus ce bleu du ciel et ce jaune doré, encore les 2 couleurs du drapeau Suédois, peut être pour te remercier de raconter si bien Paris en photos et commentaires!!.

Anonymous said...

It's such an elegant bridge, and your photos show that beautifully!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous collection of bridges and ornaments covered in gold leaf. I like this collection and your presentation, Peter. Nice.

Abraham Lincoln
Remember "The World's Ugliest Cat?" He got a haircut!
Brookville Daily Photo

isa said...

I refer to Pont Alexandre III as "my bridge" since I used to cross it twice a day while living in Paris!
But all those cosmetic changes...will it still have the same elegant and natural presence?
I guess I have to visit to find out for sure ;-)

Anonymous said...

I meant to tell you how I like the photo of the Tour Eiffel through the railing. :)

www.navarra-3d.com said...

I believe one and all must glance at it.