Pont Neuf

Built to ease traffic congestion in the early 17th century, this iconic five-arch bridge is Paris' oldest bridge.

TravelCurious Tip

Walk along the bridge at sunset, with the views of Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower, and that’s when you’ll fall for Paris

Pont Neuf spans the river Seine in Paris, and is the oldest standing bridge to do so. It has stood there since the start of the 17th century. It is constructed as a series of short arch bridges and that Roman-inspired design has stood the test of time.


Decorating the sides of the bridge are 381 stone masks, or mascarons, which depict the heads of various figures from ancient mythology, as well as satyrs and sylvains. When the bridge underwent reconstruction in the 19th century the mascarons were replaced with replicas, but they are nonetheless impressive for it. 


Break Pont

Where the bridge crosses the Île de la Cité stands a bronze statue of King Henry IV, commissioned by his widow and Regent of France, Marie de Medici. Pont Neuf was one of his first projects when he took the throne after a period of war and uncertainty in France. He wanted to make a statement and literally get Paris moving again. 


The king allegedly impressed workers when he visited the construction by leaping over the vast gaps between the pillars of the unfinished bridge. The statue was toppled during the French Revolution, but subsequently reformed using the melted bronze from statues of Louis Charles Antoine Desaix, a general for the French Republic, and of Napoleon. How’s that for symbolism.


The Heart of Paris

Historically, Ponte Neuf was considered the unlikely heart of Paris, somewhere you could see its the true character. Czar Peter the Great came to study French civilisation and declared that he found nothing more curious in Paris than the Ponte Neuf. It was full of vendors hawking oysters, cakes, oranges, coffee, dogs, wooden legs, glass eyes and false teeth. Singers would trill bawdy rhymes about the royal and the rich and sometimes end up in prison for their troubles. It’s a little less rowdy these days, but no less worth the visit.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Paris
La Conciergerie
Once a royal residence, the Conciergerie became a prison during the French revolution, a notable prisoner being Marie-Antoinette.
Place-Dauphine
One of the prettiest, most peaceful locations in Paris, the square is a hot-spot for families, dog walkers and petanque players.
'Liberty leading the people'
Is a painting by Eugène Delacroix commemorating the July Revolution of 1830, which toppled King Charles X of France.
Egypitan Wing at the Louvre
Counted as one of the world’s largest such collections, it includes more than 50,000 pieces that give a detailed overview of Egyptian life and customs from the earliest days of Ancient Egypt.
Rue de Rivoli
One of the most famous streets in Paris, famed for its commercialism.
Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle, a 13th-century Gothic gem in Paris, dazzles with towering stained-glass windows and once housed relics like the Crown of Thorns.

Related Tours

Paris Je T'aime: Private Half-Day Highlights Walking Tour

During this fabulous four-hour walking tour of Paris, you will explore the most interesting and diverse central neighbourhoods the French capital has to offer. See the sights at your own pace and adapt your tour with your guide who will be happy to offer suggestions based on your preferences. 


On your private half-day highlights tour, you will:

  • Visit the historical heart of Paris, Île de la Cité;
  • Walk by the Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie, the former Parisian prison;
  • Explore the wonderful haunts of the Latin Quarter, just a short walk away;
  • Learn about Paris' home of intellectual thought and see where the May '68 revolution unfolded;
  • Visit the Tuileries Gardens, the Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Élysées;
  • Walk around the surroundings of the symbolic Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral;
  • End your walking tour at the stunning Pont Alexander III bridge.


Explore Île de la Cité, one of the two remaining natural islands in the Seine River, considered the historic heart of Paris.

The medieval city of Paris was refounded here with the magnificent Sainte-Chapelle and the former prison, the Conciergerie. While on Île de la Cité, you will have time to walk around the hauntingly beautiful Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral.

The Latin Quarter along the Left Bank was so named because, until the French Revolution, university students in the area spoke only Latin to their professors.

You will visit this famed neighbourhood to immerse yourself in the Parisian atmosphere of yesteryear, whilst exploring the medieval streets and meandering through fantastic shops like Shakespeare and Company bookshop, Place Saint-Michel, and its gorgeous fountain.

As the tour continues, you will learn little-known facts about the French Revolution. You will be exploring the beautiful Tuileries Gardens and the Place de la Concorde, the site at which Louis XVI was beheaded during the French Revolution. Whilst here, do not forget to look out for the magnificent Champs-Élysées, the most famous shopping avenue in the world.

Lastly, you will stop off at the Pont Alexander III, the most beautiful bridge in Paris, where you can enjoy a splendid view of the Eiffel Tower and beyond the majestic Seine. J’aime Paris.

Île de la Cité, Latin Quarter & Seine River Cruise: Private Tour

Embark on a private introductory tour of Paris and explore the Île de la Cité and the Latin Quarter, two iconic Parisian neighbourhoods and enjoy a Seine Cruise for amazing views of the city from the water.

On your private tour, you will:

  • Hear the founding stories of Paris and France - from the fall of Rome to the rise of the French kings, where it all happened on the Île de la Cité;
  • Explore the rich medieval history of Paris and the beautiful Gothic architecture on the island and through the Latin Quarter;
  • Learn the history and epic survival story of the iconic Notre Dame cathedral - the world's most famous Gothic cathedral;
  • Stroll around the Conciergerie, the medieval castle of the French kings;
  • Hear how King Louis IX built the Sainte Chapelle, purchased the Crown of Thorns, and became a saint;
  • Learn how the royal castle became a royal prison during the bloody French Revolution;
  • See where the revolutionary trials took place outside the Palais du Justice;
  • Explore the vibrant neighbourhood of the Latin Quarter - famed for its quirky streets, thriving nightlife, and gothic churches;
  • Hear about the history of the area from the founding of the Sorbonne, the second oldest university in Europe to the student riots;
  • Walk into Shakespeare and Co the bookshop and learn about the Lost Generation in Paris: Gertrude Stein, Orwell, Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald;
  • End your tour with a one-hour panoramic River Cruise on the Seine, with great views of the Louvre and Eiffel Tower.


This is a fascinating introduction and orientation tour of Paris. The Île de la Cité in the middle of the Seine is where the story of Paris, and the history of France truly begins.

Begin the walking portion of your tour at the statue of Henry IV on the Pont Neuf - the oldest bridge in Paris, that crosses onto the Île de la Cité and discover the history of the French Kings as you walk around their medieval castle, the Conciergerie - and learn how it became their brutal prison during the dark days of the Revolution.

Learn all about the French Revolution and its most infamous execution machine, the Guillotine as you stand outside the gates of the Palais du Justice, the courts where all the trials took place.

Admire the Gothic front of Notre Dame - and learn about its incredible 900-year history - as well as its survival during the fire of 2019, before walking off the island, into the Latin Quarter, an historical and vibrant area famed for its gothic churches, the Sorbonne university, and its fun nightlife, with a plethora of jazz bars and eateries.

Visit historical bookshops, once frequented by the likes of Hemingway and Orwell, and explore an area that is renowned for being the starting point of the May 68' Revolution as well as the home of French intellectual thought.


Next, take in the amazing sights of Paris on a return cruise down the River Seine. See the famous landmarks of Paris from the river like the Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, and the Eiffel Tower to name just a few! Your one-hour cruise ends back at the Pont Neuf.

Important: This tour includes a 2-hour private guided walking tour followed by a 1-hour river cruise with onboard commentary on your own. Your tour guide will walk you to the cruise docking point where they will part ways with you. You can choose to take the cruise at the end of the tour or later during your stay.

Paris by Night: Private Walking Tour including Seine River Cruise

Experience the magic of the City of Lights with an evening walk through the most romantic areas of Paris: the medieval Île de la Cité and the Latin Quarter. Take a relaxing and scenic cruise ride along the River Seine with fabulous photo opportunities of famous Parisian landmarks including the Eiffel Tower lit up at night.

On your private tour you will:

  • Visit two of the city's most beautiful and romantic neighbourhoods;
  • Explore the famous sites on Île de la Cité where French history began;
  • See the Revolutionary Palais du Justice and the Conciergerie Palace former home of the French Kings; 
  • Hear about the terrifying trial and final days of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette;
  • Admire the magnificent Gothic facade of Notre Dame - still standing after the terrible fire of 2019;
  • Wander through the trendy Latin Quarter - made famous by the 'Lost Generation' of Gertrude Stein and Ernest Hemingway;
  • Learn about the famous bookshop Shakespeare & Co
  • See the Sorbonne University and peer inside some of the oldest Gothic churches in Paris like Saint Severin;
  • End your guided tour back on Ile de La Cite, where your guide will give you your Seine Cruise tickets;
  • Travel down the Seine by river cruise
  • See the Eiffel Tower lit up at night, or choose any other time you like with your open tickets.


Enjoy a magical tour of central medieval Paris lit up at night! Begin by the statue of Good King Henry on the Pont Neuf and follow your expert private guide around the Île de la Cité.

This island, in the middle of the Seine, holds the founding history of Paris and France itself: it is where a Celtic tribe called the Parisi first settled, and later Clovis King of the Franks won after the fall of Rome. Learn the history of the French Kings and Queens as you gaze across to the Louvre Palace, beautifully lit at night, and walk through Place Dauphine.

Admire some Napoleonic decorations to the Palais du Justice, and hear about some of his greatest achievements, and epic losses. As you walk around this stunning beautifully lighted medieval castle, you'll learn that it was once the home of the French Kings - and later became their prison during the Revolution. Hear about the trials, both fair and foul, and decide for yourself if Marie Antoinette was as guilty as she is painted.

Admire the exquisite Gothic facade of Notre Dame - always stunningly lit up at night and hear of its extraordinary history -and survival.

Walk around the trendy, artsy and vibrant Latin Quarter - famous for its plethora of Gothic churches, the Sorbonne University - which gives it its name as Latin was the language of Academia in the middle ages! Pass by famous the Jazz clubs on Rue de la Huchette, and the bars and cafes and bookshops - like Shakespeare and Co - that were frequented by members of the Lost Generation like Hemingway, Orwell and Gertrude Stein.

Finally, return to the Pont Neuf where your guide will leave you to enjoy a romantic evening river cruise along the Seine. This is a wonderful way to see the great monuments of Paris lit up - including the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, and of course the piece de resistance: the Eiffel Tower!

Important: This tour includes a 2-hour private guided walking tour followed by a 1-hour river cruise with onboard commentary on your own. Your tour guide will walk you to the cruise docking point where they will part ways with you. You can choose to take the cruise at the end of the tour or later during your stay.

The Historic Heart of Paris: Private Walking Tour & River Cruise

Audrey Hepburn famously said, “Paris is always a good idea”, and we couldn’t agree more. On our three-hour private walking tour, you will have the chance to explore some of the most iconic corners of the French capital, from Montmartre to Notre Dame, in the company of an expert guide, followed by an idyllic river cruise along the Seine. 

On your private tour, you will: 

  • Experience the best of Paris from Montmartre to Notre Dame;
  • Enjoy the undivided attention of your expert guide, well-versed in Parisian history and culture;
  • Follow in the footsteps of some of the world’s great artists as you wander the streets of bohemian Montmartre;
  • Stroll past the iconic Moulin Rouge, the world-famous cabaret that inspired painters, performers, and filmmakers alike;
  • Discover the former Montmartre apartment where Van Gogh lived with his brother Theo, and see a studio once frequented by Picasso and Matisse
  • Uncover hidden details and learn what makes this neighbourhood so inspiring;
  • Visit the stunning Sacré-Cœur basilica, and take in spectacular views over Paris;
  • Travel like a local as you hop on the metro to make your way down to Île de la Cité, where Paris was founded in the 3rd century;
  • Get a closer look at the breathtaking Notre Dame Cathedral and hear about the efforts to restore it following the devastating fire in 2019;
  • Pass by a wealth of historic landmarks, including the Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie and the Palais de Justice;
  • End at the majestic Pont Neuf, one of the oldest bridges over the Seine, where you will receive your river cruise tickets to use at the end of your tour.

Step into the soul of Paris on this immersive private tour that beautifully blends art, history, and iconic cityscapes. With your expert local guide leading the way, you'll begin your journey in the enchanting hills of Montmartre, the epicentre of Paris’ bohemian spirit. As you wander cobbled lanes and charming squares, you’ll uncover the artistic legacy of this famed neighbourhood, passing by the legendary Moulin Rouge, the Van Gogh brothers’ former home, and the hidden courtyards that once echoed with the footsteps of Picasso, Matisse, and other revolutionary artists. You will also have the chance to visit the majestic Sacré-Cœur Basilica, where sweeping views of Paris provide the perfect backdrop for tales of love, revolution, and artistic rebellion.

From Montmartre, you’ll travel like a true Parisian by metro to the historic Île de la Cité, the birthplace of the city. Here, you will explore centuries of French history through the facades of awe-inspiring monuments: the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, the radiant stained glass jewel of Sainte-Chapelle, the formidable Conciergerie (the medieval home of the French royals that would later become their prison), and the grand Palais de Justice. Though viewed from the outside, each building holds dramatic stories of kings, prisoners, and visionaries brought vividly to life through your guide’s rich storytelling.

Your walking tour concludes with a peaceful stroll through the elegant Place Dauphine to the Pont Neuf, Paris' oldest standing bridge. Before bidding you adieu, your guide will give you tickets to join a one-hour river cruise that will take you past the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower and many other stunning monuments that line the Seine, an ideal way to end your voyage of discovery and see Paris from a new perspective.

This tour is perfect for independent travellers who want to delve deeper into Paris’ most legendary neighbourhoods while enjoying a curated and personal experience led by a passionate local guide.

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