Small bridge

The Small Bridge is one of the oldest bridges in Paris. Its design fully corresponds to the name, since the length of the stone arched stone structure that connected the banks of the Seine is only 20 meters. Information about the bridge on this site dates back to the time of the conquest of Gaul by Roman troops.

The first bridges on this territory were built in ancient times, when Celtic tribes lived here. When Rome approached the island of Cite, the Celts burned all the bridges that connected the island to the rest of the world. They tried to prevent the invaders from entering their territory. The Romans had no choice but to build a new bridge. However, the wooden Small Bridge was destroyed in 886. Then it was heavy rains, and the water in the Seine rose so high that just demolished the interfering bridge. Since then, the bridge has been rebuilt many times.

Over time, houses and shops grew on the Small Bridge – this was a distinctive feature of that era. And thanks to numerous outlets, the bridge became one of the centers of economic life of the city. This was until 1393, when the bridge washed away again, as it was in 1408. But every time the Parisians rebuilt it in its former place. The last time the Small Bridge was restored in 1852, and it is in this form that it has survived to this day.