Pont de l'Alma (Alma Bridge)

The Basics

Built to commemorate the Battle of Alma in the Crimean War, the bridge is perhaps better known these days as the site where Princess Diana tragically perished in a car crash in 1997. Admirers still place flowers, candles, and handwritten notes at the bridge’s northern end where a replica of the Statue of Liberty’s golden flame has become an unofficial memorial.

Walk across the bridge to view the Eiffel Tower and the mini forest that has been planted under it. If you have more time, take a dinner cruise or zip along the riverbanks on a Segway, dropping into nearby museums (Musée d’Orsay, The Louvre) and landmarks (Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde).

Things to Know Before You Go

• Alma Bridge is an ideal spot to enjoy an unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower.
• Pedestrian pathways are on both sides of the bridge.
• Look for the famous zouave statue on the east side.
• Fans of Diana may also pay respects at the Princess Diana Memorial Garden in the Marais.

How to Get There

Alma Bridge connects the 7th arrondissement (Palais de Tokyo and Quai de Branly) to the 8th arrondissement (Place de l’Alma and the Champs-Élysées). Take Métro line 9 to Alma-Marceau on the right bank, or the RER C to Gare du Pont d’Alma on the left bank and walk a few steps to reach the bridge.

When to Get There

Visit the bridge when the sun is rising or setting for the best photo opportunities of the tower and the river. Peak season in Paris is June through mid-September, with most tourists arriving in the summer.

The Zouave Statue

When Alma Bridge opened in 1857, four statues of soldiers decorated its sides at water level:xa0 a grenadier, a skirmisher, an artilleryman, and a zouave. During the Great Flood of 1910, the water rose to the zouve’s shoulders, and thereafter, the 17-foot (5.2-meter) statue became a popular way to mark the river swell. In the 1970s, the stone bridge was entirely replaced with a steel one, and the zouave was the sole statue to stay, having already been firmly embedded in Parisian folklore and immortalized in song.

Ways to explore

There are plenty of ways to see the Pont de l’Alma, from simply strolling over on your own to zipping across on a Segway or jogging tour. Princess Di fans will gravitate toward the bridge’s northern end, where a replica of the Statue of Liberty’s golden flame has become an unofficial memorial surrounded by flowers, candles, and handwritten notes. Meanwhile, photographers will want to take in the bridge’s Eiffel Tower views. For those who would rather see the sights from the water, hop-on hop-off boat tours and dinner cruises also sail past the bridge.

Accessibility

The bridge is wheelchair accessible, as is the dock nearby (for boat cruises), but it’s wise to check with boat operators in advance for details.

Age limits

All ages are welcome.

What to pack

Bottled water, a camera with a zoom (for Eiffel Tower shots), offerings for the Princess Di memorial

What to wear

Comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing

Not allowed

Drones (prohibited everywhere in Paris), blocking traffic to observe the crash site

Address

The Pont d’Alma crosses the River Seine, connecting the 7th arrondissement (home to the Palais de Tokyo and Quai de Branly) to the 8th arrondissement (where you’ll find the Place de l’Alma and the Champs-Élysées). While it’s technically accessible by car, public transit is the most convenient way to get there.

Driving

It’s best to avoid driving to the Pont d’Alma, as the area is congested and will give even the most confident drivers a headache. Parking is available, for a fee, at the Indigo Paris Alma George V parking lot on the northern end of the bridge.

Public transportation

Take Métro line 9 to Alma-Marceau on the Right Bank, or the RER C to Gare du Pont d’Alma on the Left Bank, and walk a few steps to reach the bridge.

Best times to visit

Visit the bridge when the sun is rising or setting for the best photo opportunities of the Eiffel Tower and the river.

Best days to visit

Any day is a great day to visit the Pont d’Alma, so it’s best to come whenever is most convenient.

Best months to visit

Peak season in Paris is June through mid-September, with most tourists arriving in the summer. Visit the Pont d’Alma during a less busy time of year to avoid the crowds.

Special events

Princess Di fans may want to visit the bridge on the anniversary of her death, August 31, a popular date for mourners to gather.