See you in June 2026 for a timeless journey. JR transforms the Pont Neuf into a total work of art, accessible and free to all. A fascinating dialogue between the history of Paris and the vision of one of the world's greatest contemporary artists. The opening of the Caverne (scheduled for June 6, 2026) has been postponed for technical reasons.
⚠️ Access restrictions and construction schedule! JR's monumental installation requires specific roadworks on the Pont Neuf and its surroundings:
Photographing the Pont Neuf offers a multitude of spectacular angles for capturing Parisian beauty. From the banks of the Seine, the arches are majestically reflected in the water, creating perfect symmetrical compositions at sunrise. Aerial panoramic views reveal the splendour of its strategic position, spanning the Seine with the Île de la Cité in the background. The sculpted mascarons become fascinating macro subjects, each expressing a unique grimace along the parapets. For lovers of urban landscapes, the view from the Square du Vert-Galant offers an ideal composition: the bridge framed by greenery, with Parisian monuments silhouetted on the horizon. Photographers particularly appreciate the golden reflections of twilight on the pale stone, transforming this world heritage site into a living postcard.
Rue du Pont Neuf** naturally extends the crossing of the bridge on the right bank, connecting directly to the Les Halles district. This historic shopping street offers a unique perspective on Parisian architecture: the Samaritaine, LV Dream, the Kong restaurant...
The Pont Neuf station on metro line 7 is the most convenient way to reach the monument. Located directly under the Quai de la Mégisserie, it serves La Samaritaine, the neighbourhood's iconic department store. Connections with lines 1, 4, 7, 11 and 14 at Châtelet make it easy to reach all of Paris's arrondissements.
The construction of the Pont Neuf took nearly 30 years, from 1578 to 1607. Henri III laid the first stone in 1578, but the Wars of Religion interrupted the work. Henry IV resumed the project and called on the architect Baptiste Androuet du Cerceau to design this revolutionary innovation. The bridge is remarkably resistant to flooding from the Seine thanks to its deep foundations and raised arches. The equestrian statue of Henry IV has stood in the centre of the bridge since 1635. An original work by sculptor Germain Pilon, it was destroyed during the French Revolution and replaced in 1818. This effigy depicts the king on horseback and was the first equestrian statue to be displayed on a French public thoroughfare, marking the advent of monumental urban art.
The Quai du Louvre offers the most beautiful photographic views of the entire bridge. The Place du Pont Neuf, renamed at the end of 2025 "Place du Pont Neuf - Christo et Jeanne-Claude" at the end of 2025, pays tribute to the artist couple who wrapped the monument in 1985. This temporary installation by Christo and Jeanne-Claude temporarily transformed the bridge into a work of contemporary art, creating a spectacular trompe-l'œil that marked Parisian artistic history.
The Vedettes du Pont Neuf offer guided cruises that reveal a unique perspective on the bridge's architecture from the Seine. They allow you to admire the figures of Neptune sculpted under the arches and observe the small arm and the large arm of the Seine that the monument crosses. The centre of the bridge then becomes a privileged observation point for understanding the ingenuity of this construction that spans the Île de la Cité.
Forty years after Christo's wrapping, Paris' oldest bridge becomes the setting for a monumental installation by JR.
In June 2026, discover La Caverne du Pont Neuf, an immersive 120-metre work transforming the bridge into a fascinating urban cave. A free and unique artistic experience.
