The Pont Saint-Michel is a bridge linking the Place Saint-Michel on the left bank of the Seine to the Île de la Cité in Paris, France. The first bridge was constructed in 1378, allowing for a direct route across the Île de la Cité; the bridge was completed in 1387. The bridge's sides were quickly filled with houses, as was common during the Middle Ages, but, during the winter of 1407-1408, ice carried by the frozen Seine hit the bridge, causing the bridge and its houses to collapse. It was immediately rebuilt in wood due to France's difficulties during the Hundred Years' War, and, in 1444, the Parlement decided to allocate all money raised from fines to build a new stone bridge on the site. A replacement bridge was built at the same time as the Pont Marie, and it was built from 1617 to 1623. The current bridge was built over the course of seven months in 1857. In 1961, between 40 and over 200 pro-FLN Algerians were massacred at the bridge by National Police, and a plaque to commemorate the victims was unveiled in 2001.
Gallery[]
