Pont de Pierre

Where it is & how to get there

• Tram: Tram A crosses the bridge; stop at Porte de Bourgogne on the city side or Stalingrad on the right bank.
• On foot: 10 minutes south along the quays from Place de la Bourse.
• By bike: The bridge is open to bikes, pedestrians and trams only.

The story of the Pont de Pierre

For centuries Bordeaux had no bridge over the wide, tidal Garonne. In 1810 Napoleon ordered one to move his troops towards Spain more quickly. Work began in 1819 and the bridge opened in 1822, after engineers solved the problem of the river's strong currents and soft bed.

It has 17 arches, and local legend says this matches the 17 letters of "Napoléon Bonaparte". Each pier carries a white medallion with the emperor's initial on the downstream side. Since 2017 cars are no longer allowed, so it is a calm place to walk and watch the sunset over the city.

Best time to visit

Tips before you go

• Cross to the right bank for the best view of the city skyline.
• Cross to the right bank for the best view of the city's riverfront.
• Combine it with the Porte de Bourgogne and the Saint-Michel quarter.

What's around the Pont de Pierre

• Porte de BourgogneAn 18th-century triumphal gate at the city end of the bridge.
• Basilica of Saint-MichelGothic basilica with a 114-metre bell tower.
• Darwin EcosystemCreative hub in old military barracks on the right bank.
• Place de la Bourse10 minutes north along the river.

Questions travellers ask