Mid-month-theme: subway day

The 15th of each month is the day for the « mid-month-theme » - subway – which I share with bloggers in NYC and Stockholm. This month’s theme is “above ground”.

Most of the Paris metro lines are crossing the Seine under water, but some of the first lines (the one you see here is from 1905) were built with bridge crossings - easier and at the time considered as less risky than to make under-water-tunnels.

In September last year I showed a metro train on the Pont de Bir-Haikem. The above photo was taken last week, showing a train on the same bridge, in the opposite direction, towards the Passy area (16th arrdt.). I repeat that this bridge has the particularity of being built for trains, cars, bikes, pedestrians… and, in my opinion, the bridge is really beautiful.

You can find today’s posts – and some other subway related posts – by using the following links:

New York City Daily Photo – Stockholm by pixels – PHO (Paris).

I wish you a very nice and relaxing weekend!

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

The Bir-Hakeim Bridge crosses the Seine River, just south of the Eiffel Tower. Tourists may often not have the time to go so far, but it’s actually one of the best places to watch the Tower and it’s also a beautiful piece of art by itself.

The bridge was built (actually rebuilt) in 1905 in two levels, allowing the passage of the then new metro, plus cars, pedestrians, bikers… It was originally called the Passy Bridge, named after the area Passy on the right bank. It got its new name in 1948 to commemorate the battle of Bir Hakeim (Libya 1942-43).

The two Scottish guys you can see on one of the pictures are probably here for the soccer game France – Scotland, played last night (0-1) or maybe on their way to the rugby match in Toulouse, where France also meets Scotland (World Championships) next weekend.

The bridge crosses the Ile des Cygnes (the Swan Island). You can use some stairs and then take a walk all along the narrow island to its extreme south, where you can find the smaller version of the Statue of Liberty.

The statue you see is a gift from the Danish colony in France (1930) and the decorations on the side of the bridge date from its creation; symbols of the French nation are fixed to the bridge.

The bridge has "co-starred" in several films, the most famous one perhaps being the Last Tango in Paris by Bertolucci with Marlon Brando; the apartment was situated in the last corner building, just at the starting point of the bridge.

Some of the original photos can be seen on my other blog , "Peter-photos".

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".

Bridge over...

There was obviously a traffic problem in Paris to solve by the end of the 19th century. They had to decide to build a bridge, over the Montmartre cemetery. As can be seen from my photo, the bridge was constructed in 1888.

It’s interesting to see how they have managed to adjust the bridge in order to avoid destroying any of the existing tombs.

I have put the photos from this patchwork on my other blog, "Peter - photos".