Pont Neuf : Boat Cruise

Pont Neuf meaning new bridge is the oldest bridge in Paris. The idea of the bridge was conceived by Henri II, the first stone was set by his son, it wasn't until Henri IV that work fully resumed and the bridge was finally opened on June 20, 1603. Right away the bridge was considered a central feature of royal architecture.
Parisians were also fans of the new bridge because even though it was made wide enough for houses none were allowed to be built. It gave them a chance to see the Seine in a new way and created a new place for socialization. Mainly the houses were kept off the bridge because Henri IV had just invested in the Louvre and wanted to keep a clear view of the museum.
Pont Neuf was designed and built by a team of 5 architects. The designs even had to be changed at one point giving the bridge five arches on one side and seven on the other with Jews Island as a middle point. Even with all the information that is known about Pont Neuf, historians are still asking questions about the faces underneath. There are 381 stone heads, each one making a different face; yet two stand out, appearing to be caricatures, possibly of his mistress.

Citations:
Marie de Paris. www.paris.fr. Paris, 09 Nov 2007. Web. 1 July 2013.
Victoria Yonkova. www.urbanghostsmedia.com. Urban Ghosts, 30 Oct 2012. Web. 1 July 2013.
n/a. www.fromparis.com. From Paris, n/a. Web. 1 July 2013.