The main bridge in the city centre is very attractive and ornate. The low level arches and brick work are very distinctive and attractive. At night with the individuals lights lit up it just adds to the attraction

Go back at night when all of the individual arches are lit up.it looks very nice.Having said that it's nice enough during the day and work a walk across to get a sense of how wide the Garonne is and good views

We crossed this impressive bridge several times during our holiday in Bordeaux always on the ever efficient tram service.

We were told that this was the first bridge over the river Garonne at Bordeaux being built from 1819 to 1822. It's construction had been planned many years earlier under the orders of the Emperor Napoleon, who as he campaigned in Spain, needed his troops to rapidly cross the river. The original project envisaged a wood bridge, easier to build. Prior to then, it was necessary to cross the river by boat. However due to a lack of resources, the construction took place much later during the Bourbon Restoration following Napoleon being banished to St. Helena. It seems that during construction the builders were faced with many challenges because of the strong current and the high tidal range, 6 m (20 ft), at that point in the river but they were able to use a diving bell borrowed from Britain to stabilise the bridge's pillars.

The bridge stretches alsomost 500 metres in length and has 17 arches. The tastefully designed lights mounted on the bridge are a noteworthy feature.