Many guidebooks describe the Alexandre III Bridge as the most graceful in Paris. The decorative decoration of the bridge, with figures of pegasus, nymphs and angels, is a striking example of the Boz-art style and has much in common with the design of the Grand Palais stretching out to the right. On either side of the entrance to the bridge, 17-meter lamp posts rise, over which hover bronze figures symbolizing Science, Art, Industry and Battle. In the center of the bridge arches are the nymph of the Seine with the coat of arms of France and the nymph of the Neva with the coat of arms of imperial Russia, both made of copper by Georges Resipo.
The first stone in the foundation of the bridge was laid in 1897 by the son of the Russian Tsar Alexander III - Nicholas II, who became the last monarch of the Russian Empire. The funny thing is that at the ceremony they played the Marseillaise - the French anthem, and the Russian autocrat had to take off his headdress. The paradox is also that this piece of music later became the anthem of the revolutionaries.
The idea to perpetuate the memory of the crowned father in the heart of the French capital came to Nicholas for a reason. At that time, there was a strengthening of political and economic ties between Russia and France, which led to the conclusion of the Franco-Russian alliance (1891-1917). Such an alliance was beneficial to both sides, and therefore the powers invested not only strength in it, but also their soul.
To emphasize the brotherly warm relationship, French President Felix Faure orders his architects to design a similar bridge across the Neva in St. Petersburg, and then himself is present at the laying of the cornerstone. Both buildings were erected simultaneously, and really have a lot in common.
The Alexander III bridge has a "twin" in St. Petersburg - the Trinity Bridge over the Neva designed by the French. It was being built at the same time as the bridge over the Seine, and its construction also emphasized the cultural and political closeness of the two countries: French President Felix Faure was present at the laying ceremony.
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The Pont Alexandre 3 in Paris was completed in three years, and the dates 1897-1900 are engraved on its plaque. The opening was attended by important persons of both states, including Felix Faure and the Russian ambassador L. P. Urusov.
When all the work was completed, and the building was put into operation, Paris bathed in the lush spring bloom of trees and flower beds. In April, the World Exhibition, which has become a symbol of the new century, just started. It was at its beginning that they tried to erect several buildings at once, where, in addition to the bridge, there were also the Big and Small palaces; Beehive at Montparnasse; Orsay station (now the Museum of Impressionism); Gare de Lyon, for which it was necessary to demolish the Mazas prison, which stands opposite; first Paris metro line.
The single-arched Alexander 3 bridge impresses with its refinement rather than luxury and bombast. At the border of the two worlds, a change of styles took place, and the architects tried to get away from the catchy Rococo and strict Gothic. Art Nouveau (new art) became especially fashionable at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th, and therefore the 1900 exhibition was held under his patronage.
